AOES has a long history of activities in the field of CFD. AOES engineers are proficient at performing analysis at every flow regime, ranging from subsonic, transonic to supersonic and hypersonic flows. Additionally, AOES has expertise in rarefied gas dynamics and plasma flows and provide technical support, reviews, shadow engineering and problem solving for both ESA/ ESTEC as well as the industry.


 
Analyses in the subsonic and transonic flow regimes involve for example:
  • Lubrication analysis
  • Free surface sloshing mechanics
  • Base-flow buffeting
  • Launcher fairing thermal control
 
Analyses in the supersonic and hypersonic flow regimes involve for example:
  • Launcher analysis
    • nozzle performance design
    • nozzle plume-structure interaction during ascent
  • (Re-)entry including both
    • trajectory analysis
    • aerodynamics
    • heating analysis
  • Rudder design

 

Examples of Analysis of multi-phase flows are:

  • triple-phase flows and cryogenic fluid flows with a phase change

 

Examples of expertise in analysis of rarefied gasses are:

  • aerodynamics of spacecraft in orbit
  • aerodynamics of (re-)entry vehicles at high altitudes
    • for aerobraking and aerocapture
  • plume impingement effects, mechanical and heat loads on satellite surface and contamination
  • contamination due to material outgassing
  • viscous low-Reynolds flows and micro-flows

 

 Plasma flows:

  • Electric propulsion
  • Spacecraft charging