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Professor Richard Morgan
Professor

Richard Morgan

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53668

Overview

Background

Prof Morgan was the Director of the Centre for Hypersonics since its inception in 1997 until October 2021. He lectures in mechanical and aerospace engineering within the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering.

He has a strong research record in the development of hypervelocity impulsive facilities on which the UQ Centre for Hypersonics research program is based, including the ‘X’ series of super-orbital expansion tubes, and has extensive experience in hypersonic aero-thermo-dynamics and scramjet propulsion.

Richard Morgan has been developing superorbital ground based facilities for many years, and has collaborative research program with DSTG, NASA, ESA, Oxford University, Ecole Centrale (Paris) and AOARD in radiating flows, as well as continuing ARC support in this area since 1990, including two current ARC Discovery grants in partnership with European and American partners.

He was involved as a flight team member in the 2010 airborne observation of the Japanese ‘Hayabusa’ asteroid sample return mission, for which he was a co-recipient of the NASA Ames ‘honour’ award for 2010. He regularly gives invited talks in international meetings, and gave a plenary presentation to the AIAA Hypersonic Spaceplanes Conference in San Francisco in April 2011.

Professor Richard Morgan was awarded a 2012 UQ Excellence in Research Higher Degree Supervision award for encouraging student development through international student exchanges with overseas collaborators, whilst engendering internal cooperation within the study body.

Availability

Professor Richard Morgan is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Works

Search Professor Richard Morgan’s works on UQ eSpace

329 works between 1982 and 2025

181 - 200 of 329 works

2011

Journal Article

Free-piston driver optimisation for simulation of high Mach number scramjet flow conditions

Gildfind, D. E., Morgan, R. G., McGilvray, M., Jacobs, P. A., Stalker, R. J. and Eichmann, T. N. (2011). Free-piston driver optimisation for simulation of high Mach number scramjet flow conditions. Shock Waves, 21 (6), 559-572. doi: 10.1007/s00193-011-0336-9

Free-piston driver optimisation for simulation of high Mach number scramjet flow conditions

2011

Journal Article

Analysis of nonequilibrium CN radiation encountered during titan atmospheric entry

Brandis, Aaron M., Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2011). Analysis of nonequilibrium CN radiation encountered during titan atmospheric entry. Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer, 25 (4), 493-499. doi: 10.2514/1.50966

Analysis of nonequilibrium CN radiation encountered during titan atmospheric entry

2011

Journal Article

Analytical method of prediction of turbulent boundary-layer separation in hypersonic flows

Dann, Andrew G. and Morgan, Richard G. (2011). Analytical method of prediction of turbulent boundary-layer separation in hypersonic flows. AIAA Journal, 49 (9), 2068-2072. doi: 10.2514/1.J050673

Analytical method of prediction of turbulent boundary-layer separation in hypersonic flows

2011

Conference Publication

Simulation of radiating flows in impulsive facilities

Morgan, Richard G., McIntyre, Timothy J. and Sheikh, Umar (2011). Simulation of radiating flows in impulsive facilities. 49th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition, Orlando, United States, 4-7 January 2011. Reston, Virigina: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2011-250

Simulation of radiating flows in impulsive facilities

2010

Journal Article

Scramjet experiments in an expansion tunnel: Evaluated using a quasi- steady analysis technique

McGilvray, Matthew, Morgan, Richard G. and Jacobs, Peter A. (2010). Scramjet experiments in an expansion tunnel: Evaluated using a quasi- steady analysis technique. AIAA Journal, 48 (8), 1635-1646. doi: 10.2514/1.J050024

Scramjet experiments in an expansion tunnel: Evaluated using a quasi- steady analysis technique

2010

Journal Article

Observation of an ablating surface in expansion tunnel flow

D'Souza, Mary G., Eichmann, Troy N., Potter, Daniel F., Morgan, Richard G., McIntyre, Timothy J., Jacobs, Peter A. and Mudford, Neil R. (2010). Observation of an ablating surface in expansion tunnel flow. AIAA Journal, 48 (7), 1557-1560. doi: 10.2514/1.J050207

Observation of an ablating surface in expansion tunnel flow

2010

Journal Article

Nonequilibrium radiation intensity measurements in simulated Titan atmospheres

Brandis, Aaron M., Morgan, Richard G., McIntyre, Tim and Jacobs, Peter A. (2010). Nonequilibrium radiation intensity measurements in simulated Titan atmospheres. Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer, 24 (2), 291-300. doi: 10.2514/1.44482

Nonequilibrium radiation intensity measurements in simulated Titan atmospheres

2010

Conference Publication

Expansion tunnel radiation experiments to support hayabusa re-entry observations

Buttsworth, David R., D'Souza, Mary, Potter, Daniel, Eichmann, Troy N., Mudford, Neil, McGilvray, Matthew, McIntyre, Timothy J., Jacobs, Peter A. and Morgan, Richard G. (2010). Expansion tunnel radiation experiments to support hayabusa re-entry observations. 48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition, Orlando, Florida, USA, 4-7 January 2010. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). doi: 10.2514/6.2010-634

Expansion tunnel radiation experiments to support hayabusa re-entry observations

2010

Conference Publication

Design, construction and testing of sounding rocket payloads at the University of Queensland

D'Souza, M. G., Creagh, M. and Morgan, R. G. (2010). Design, construction and testing of sounding rocket payloads at the University of Queensland. 61st International Astronautical Congress 2010, IAC 2010, Prague, Czech Republic., 27 September 27 - 1 October 2010. Paris, France: International Astronautical Federation.

Design, construction and testing of sounding rocket payloads at the University of Queensland

2010

Conference Publication

An experimental investigation of radiation over an ablating stardust model at 9.8 KM/S

D'Souza, M. G., Eichmann, T. N., Potter, D. F., Mudford, N. R., Morgan, R. G. and McIntyre, T. J. (2010). An experimental investigation of radiation over an ablating stardust model at 9.8 KM/S. 61st International Astronautical Congress 2010, IAC 2010, Prague, 27 September - 1 October 2010. Paris, France: International Astronautical Federation.

An experimental investigation of radiation over an ablating stardust model at 9.8 KM/S

2010

Conference Publication

Analysis of air radiation measurements obtained in the EAST and X2 shocktube facilities

Brandis, A. M., Cruden, B. A., Prabhu, D., Bose, D., McGilvray, M. and Morgan, R. G. (2010). Analysis of air radiation measurements obtained in the EAST and X2 shocktube facilities. 10th AIAA/ASME Joint Thermophysics and Heat Transfer Conference, Chicago, IL, U.S.A., 28 June-1 July 2010. Reston, VA, U.S.A.: American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA).

Analysis of air radiation measurements obtained in the EAST and X2 shocktube facilities

2010

Conference Publication

Modeling of radiating flows in the atmospheres of the Gas Giants

Morgan, R. G. (2010). Modeling of radiating flows in the atmospheres of the Gas Giants. 17th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference 2010, 17AFMC, Auckland, New Zealand, 5 - 9 December 2010. Auckland NZ: University of Auckland, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Modeling of radiating flows in the atmospheres of the Gas Giants

2010

Conference Publication

Design of lightweight pistons for the X2 and X3 expansion tube free-piston drivers

Gildfind, D. E., Morgan, R. G., McGilvray, M., Jacobs, P. A., Eichmann, T., Stalker, R. J. and Teakle, P. (2010). Design of lightweight pistons for the X2 and X3 expansion tube free-piston drivers. 17AFMC: 17th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Auckland, New Zealand, 5-9 December 2010. Auckland, New Zealand: The University of Auckland.

Design of lightweight pistons for the X2 and X3 expansion tube free-piston drivers

2009

Journal Article

Helmholtz Resonance of Pitot Pressure Measurements in Impulsive Hypersonic Test Facilities

McGilvray, M., Jacobs, P.A., Morgan, R.G., Gollan, R.J. and Jacobs, C.M. (2009). Helmholtz Resonance of Pitot Pressure Measurements in Impulsive Hypersonic Test Facilities. AIAA Journal, 47 (10), 2430-2439. doi: 10.2514/1.42543

Helmholtz Resonance of Pitot Pressure Measurements in Impulsive Hypersonic Test Facilities

2009

Journal Article

Diagnostic modelling of an expansion tube operating condition

McGilvray, M., Austin, J. M., Sharma, M., Jacobs, P. A. and Morgan, R. G. (2009). Diagnostic modelling of an expansion tube operating condition. Shock Waves, 19 (1), 59-66. doi: 10.1007/s00193-009-0187-9

Diagnostic modelling of an expansion tube operating condition

2009

Journal Article

Effects of Upstream Injection on Scramjet Performance Using an Entropy-Based Method

McGilvray, M and Morgan, RG (2009). Effects of Upstream Injection on Scramjet Performance Using an Entropy-Based Method. JOURNAL OF PROPULSION AND POWER, 25 (2), 295-302. doi: 10.2514/1.38325

Effects of Upstream Injection on Scramjet Performance Using an Entropy-Based Method

2009

Conference Publication

Radiation measurements in rarefied Titan atmospheres

Jacobs, C. M. and Morgan, R. G. (2009). Radiation measurements in rarefied Titan atmospheres. 47th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition, Orlando, FL, 5 - 8 January 2009. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2009-1029

Radiation measurements in rarefied Titan atmospheres

2009

Conference Publication

Experimental investigation of the effect of two incident shock waves on a turbulent boundary layer in hypersonic circular duct flows

Dann, A. G. and Morgan, R. G. (2009). Experimental investigation of the effect of two incident shock waves on a turbulent boundary layer in hypersonic circular duct flows. 47th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition [Papers], Orlando, FL United States, 5 - 8 January 2009. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2009-33

Experimental investigation of the effect of two incident shock waves on a turbulent boundary layer in hypersonic circular duct flows

2009

Conference Publication

A simulation technique for radiating shock tube flows

Rowan Gollan, Carolyn Jacobs, Jacobs, Peter A., Morgan, Richard G., McIntyre, Timothy J., Macrossan, Michael N., Buttsworth, David R., Eichmann, Troy N. and Daniel Potter (2009). A simulation technique for radiating shock tube flows. 26th International Symposium on Shock Waves (ISSW26), Gottingen, Germany, 15-20 July. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag Heidelberg. doi: 10.1007/978-3-540-85168-4_74

A simulation technique for radiating shock tube flows

2009

Conference Publication

Radiatively cooled scramjet combustor

Morgan, R. G. and Zander, F. (2009). Radiatively cooled scramjet combustor. 26th International Symposium on Shock Waves (ISSW26), Gottingen, Germany, 15-20 July 2007. Berlin, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-540-85181-3_55

Radiatively cooled scramjet combustor

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Hypervelocity Heat flux Measurements
    Queensland Bavaria Collaborative Research Program - Seed Grant
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Advancing the Science of Giant Planet Atmospheric Entry
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024
    Radiation reconstruction for ExoMars capsule flowfield
    AEDS Sarl
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Non-equilibrium reacting shock layers
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Electron Transpiration Cooling of Hypersonic Vehicles
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Study of Non-Equilibrium Wakes Model
    United States Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Optical Equipment for Advanced Thermofluid Measurements
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    Hypersonic Science and Enabling Technologies - General Support
    Commonwealth Defence Science and Technology Group
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Experimental Studies of High-Speed Flows
    National University of Singapore Research Collaboration Agreement
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Development of flow conditions and heated hardware for X3R
    Commonwealth Defence Science and Technology Group
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Turbulent heat transfer during Mars Venus and Earth atmospheric entry
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Rapidly expanding non equilibrium hypersonic flow
    United States Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Hydrocarbon fuel technology for hypersonic air breathing vehicles
    Cooperative Research Centre Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Stage 2 Development of X3R, an advanced Scramjet testing Shock Tunnel
    Commonwealth Defence Science and Technology Group
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Optical diagnostics for the investigation of high-speed energetic processes (ARC LIEF project administered by The University of New South Wales)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Radiation and Ablation in Rapidly Expanding Flows
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Development of X3R, an advanced Scramjet testing Shock Tunnel
    Commonwealth Department of Defence Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Hypersonic Driver - NWTF Project
    University of Oxford
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Experimental Analysis of High Speed Earth Re-entry
    Go8 Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    The science of scramjet propulsion
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Ablative thermal protection systems
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Infrastructure for hypersonic laboratories
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Hypervelocity re-entry
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Radiation measurements in simulated ablation layers
    United States Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Ensuring a world-class hypersonic shock tunnel for maintaining world-leading hypersonic R&D
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Instrumentation Facility for Hypersonic Heat Transfer Measurements
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Radiating hypersonic flows
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2008
    Mach 10 Hydrogen fuelled scramjet development
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Mach 10 Scramjet Flight Thrust Measurements - An extension to the HyShot Flight Program
    United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Development of large scale expansion tubes
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Upgrading of hypersonics facilities
    Systemic Infrastucture Iniative
    Open grant
  • 2001
    X2 Expansion Tube Testing
    California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Calibration and performance optimisation of superorbital expansion tubes
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Blunt Body Aerodynamics in Superorbital Flows
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Conversion of RHYFL shock tunnel to an expansion tube
    WBM Consulting Engineers
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Conversion of RHYFL shock tunnel to an expansion tube
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Shock-Boundary Layer Interactions and Separation in Super Orbital Flows
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Ablation measurement in spacecraft re-entry heat shields
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Simulation of Interplanetary Aerodynamics
    ARC Investigators - International Links
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Study of Superorbital Ionising Flows
    ARC Investigators - International Links
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Ablation measurement in spacecraft re-entry heat shields
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1999
    Commissioning the superorbital expansion tube
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Collaboration with Japan on the proposed "Nereus" space mission
    DIST Bilateral Science & Technology Collab.Program
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Driver Optimisation for Super Orbital Flight Simulation
    DIST Bilateral Science & Technology Collab.Program
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Optical imaging for multi-parameter diagnostics in super orbital facilities
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1997
    Studies of the Unsteady Expansion in Expansion Tubes
    United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Richard Morgan is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Testing of inflatable reentry heat shields

  • Study of aerocapture maneuvers

    Aerocapture is a means of transferring a spacecraft from a hyperbolic to a captive orbit by means of hypervelocity aerodynamic maneuvers. They have great potential to increase the scope of space missions, but have never been tried to date. This project follows on from an initial 2003 study to do an experimental (in X3) and theoretical evaluation of candidate vehicle shapes.

  • Multistage rocket design

    Composite rocket modules developed at UQ will be ready for flight testing in 2004, and are expected to reach speeds of about Mach 3. Future applications anticipate using these modules in a multistaged configuration, and reaching hypersonic speeds. This project involves the design of a multistaged rocket, and the analysis of its expected performance

  • Mars gravity soft landing system

    Involves the design, construction and testing of a full scale impact attenuation system to protect the Mars gravity payload of 15 mice when they land at Woomera. Suitable for group thesis or design project (Mech 4552).

  • Mars gravity entry subsystem

    Involves dynamic and thermal analysis of the Mars Gravity reentry capsule. Suitable for group thesis or design project (Mech 4552). May be split into 2 individual projects.

  • Mars Gravity descent subsystem

    Involves the design, construction and testing of a mortar system for deploying the drogue parachute of the Mars gravity return capsule.

  • Expansion tube performance enhancement

    Expansion tubes use a cascade of shock tubes in series to improve performance over conventional shock tunnels. In general, for 'low' speed applications (less than about 8 km/sec), two tubular sections are optimum.

    However, due to certain restrictions on the operating conditions which are useable, there may be situations where three tubes are better at lower speeds. This thesis invovles a theoretical and experiemntal investigation

    of this effect.

  • Development of improved rupture diaphragms for X3

  • Design, construction and flight testing of Mach 2 ramjet

    Involves the design and construction of all components of a liquid fuel ramjet. Follow on from 2003 flight test at Woomera, October 2003. To be used as project/example material in M&S course work including Aerospace Propulsion, Hypersonics, CFD, Space Enginerring and design. Suitable for group thesis or design project (Mech 4552). Dependent on budget support from School of Engineering.

  • Design, construction and flight testing of Mach 2 pulse detonation wave engine (PDE)

    Involves the design and construction of all components of a PDE. Follow on from 2003 flight test at Woomera (postponed), October 2003. To be used as project/example material in M&S course work including Aerospace Propulsion, Hypersonics, CFD, Space Enginerring and design. Suitable for group thesis or design project (Mech 4552). Dependent on budget support from School of Engineering

  • Design of flight version of a Hybrid rocket

    In 2003, a static hybrid rocket was built and tested by a 4th year M&S student. The project will be extended in 2004 to the development of a flight version of the rocket, with the objective of testing at Woomera in 2005. This project could be run as group design (Mech4552) or a group thesis project.

  • Design and test of a parachute recovery system for the Ausroc 2.5 rocket

  • Commissioning of fibre winding machine for composite pressure vessels

    In 2003, UQ acquired a large fibre winding machine from ASRI/DSTO which can be used for the fabrication of various highly stressed components, including rocket motors, fuel tanks and fire extinguisher cases. This machine needs to be commissioned, programmed and used to prepare prototype fuel tanks fro the ASRI 'Ausroc 2.5' rocket project. The machine is currently configured for mechanical control, and the project involves conversion to computerised fibre positioning.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

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