Effect of Magnetic Field Deflection on Magnetohydrodynamic Heat Shield (2025-2027)
Abstract
The magnetohydrodynamic heat shield concept, which uses a magnetic field to control the hot plasma flowing around the spacecraft, will enable vehicles entering Earth's atmosphere to follow trajectories with considerably reduced heating. Minimal research in this field has accounted for how the magnetic field deforms due to the plasma flowing through it, yet this effect is expected to be significant for a full scale spacecraft. This project aims to experimentally reproduce and characterise this phenomemon. Its significance will be providing the first ever measurements of this effect. The expected outcome and benefit will be new understanding and new simulation capabilities, both essential to developing a functional full scale heat shield.
