USQ awarded a $1M grant to boost hypersonics research

The University of Southern Queensland has been awarded a $1 million Australian Research Council (ARC) grant for a project led by the University into remote diagnostics for space-access flight testing.

“Aerospace flight testing is essential for assessing the reliability of space-access technologies including re-useable rockets and hypersonic air-breathing systems,” said Professor David Buttsworth from USQ’s Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences, who will lead the project to develop ways to maximise science outcomes from test flights.

“These tests give us vital optical data in video and scientific formats, and we’re looking at ways to gain even more insight from these flights.”

The team will design a suite of new instruments suiting various platforms (airborne, ground-based and high-altitude drones) for observing high-speed flight tests conducted during research into launch-to-space and return-from-space technologies.

The research team includes Professor Buttsworth, Dr Fabian Zander and Dr Craig Lobsey, as well as partners from The University of Queensland, University of Stuttgart, Rocket Technologies International, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Southern Launch and Hypersonix Launch Systems.

The project will also fine-tune computational simulations of the flight tests and develop new ways to deduce the aerodynamic and thermal conditions experienced during high-speed flight.

Professor Buttsworth said by advancing essential optical diagnostic tools and techniques, his team aimed to establish an enduring capability for space-access flight testing in Australia.

“This work has the potential to accelerate the research and development pathways for Australian enterprises and will designate our country as a prime destination for international aerospace businesses.”