Raindrops at rocket speeds: Water's impact on hypersonic craft revealed

A recent study has revealed how tiny water droplets, such as raindrops, can significantly affect hypersonic vehicles traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (over 6,173 km/h). When these droplets impact a hypersonic aircraft or missile, they tend to break up into smaller droplets that become entrapped and accelerate near the vehicle’s surface. This interaction can disrupt the airflow around the vehicle and increase the likelihood of droplet impacts, especially with larger droplets, potentially affecting the vehicle’s structural integrity. The research team used advanced simulations combining Eulerian and Lagrangian frameworks to model the complex multiphase flow interactions between water droplets and hypersonic airflows. Their findings emphasize the importance of considering droplet breakup dynamics when estimating impact forces on hypersonic vehicles. This work not only aids in the design and development of next-generation hypersonic aircraft but also enhances the fundamental understanding of multiphase flows under extreme conditions. The researchers plan to conduct more detailed simulations to further explore individual