A group of Toowoomba, Australia, researchers is designing cutting-edge hypersonic vehicles. Using rocket science, they will simulate the design and development of hypersonic systems to shape future space missions.
Through the iLAuNCH Trailblazer, the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) is partnering with LEAP Australia to bring the ANSYS suite of software to Toowoomba in order for researchers to continue designing high-performance vehicles.
The project will grow an experienced user base, trained in advanced simulation tools, to support Australia’s emerging space and aerospace industry.
Steering the team of leading scientists from the University of Southern Queensland is Associate Professor Ingo Jahn, who is part of the Hypersonics and Rocketry team that worked on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx and JAXA’s Hayabusa2 capsule re-entry missions that involved hypersonic airborne observations.
Industry software engineering company, LEAP Australia will provide training on the wide range of applications of their software suite, including modelling aerodynamics and structures in a combined way that is necessary for system engineering these complex vehicles.
The end result will be a trained workforce and a validated toolset ready to tackle the hypersonics projects of tomorrow.
“Through our industry partnership we are making available multi-million-dollar software tools to design and develop high-performance, high-speed vehicles,” said iLAuNCH Trailblazer Executive Director, Darin Lovett. “iLAuNCH will provide a hands-on experience in advanced simulation techniques to develop the skilled workforce for the hypersonics projects of the future.”
“We will learn by doing, partnering with LEAP Australia to bring in the powerful suite of ANSYS tools to simulate hypersonic phenomena and missions,” said Project Lead, A/Prof. Jahn. “We hope to demonstrate capabilities of the ANSYS modelling suite to simulate hypersonic aerodynamics, and to develop a multi-physics workflow to simulate hypervelocity re-entries, including how they can be observed from ground (or airborne) observation station.”
“Through training and access, LEAP will upskill UniSQ researchers and personnel by providing them with hands-on experience in advanced simulation techniques, and transfer of these skills to industry,” said LEAP Australia Academic Manager, Nick Foster.
The Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications and Hypersonics (iLAuNCH) Trailblazer is a $180 million program building Australia’s enduring space capability through the commercialization of projects, a fast-track accelerator, and skills development to build the workforce of the future.
The University of Queensland’s Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences’ Hypersonics and Rocketry team conducts research for a variety of funding bodies including defence and aerospace industries through domestic and international collaborations in the United Kingdom, Europe and USA.
Through expertise in ground testing, optical remote diagnostics, and modelling and simulation, the group has an extensive research track record spanning the full spectrum from fundamental hypersonic research to hypersonic vehicle applications.
For more than 25 years, LEAP has successfully delivered engineering, simulation and enterprise software and services to thousands of Australian and New Zealand customers – from global leaders through to small local companies. Our expert team provides support, training, mentoring and customization with deep expertise in CAD, CAM, Simulation, Product Development, PLM, and the tech underpinning Industry 4.0 such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Augmented Reality (AR). The mission at LEAP is to assist local companies to reduce costs, improve product quality and increase productivity using this best-in-class engineering software from industry leaders such as ANSYS, PTC, nCode, Rocky & LSTC. LEAP has the team, tools and experience to solve the problems that no-one else can.