Aerothermodynamics for Space Vehicles -- ESA's Activities and the Challenges

J. Muylaert & W. Berry

In August 1988, ESA implemented a specialist section for aerothermodynamics within the Propulsion and Aerothermodynamics Division at ESTEC in the Netherlands. This capability was created to provide a competence in ESA for a new generation of space vehicles requiring aerothermodynamics expertise to enable their design: the Hermes Space Plane, planetary missions within the Agency’s Space Science Programme and the Ariane-5 launcher. The Section was to be the focal point for this new discipline within ESA in addition to coordinating European activities in aerothermodynamics and providing technical support to the Agency’s programmes. The Aerothermodynamics Section is now exactly 10 years old, making it timely to review the achievements, to elaborate on the importance of aerothermodynamics for space vehicles, and to present the challenges for current and future ESA space vehicles.