PhD position: Health Monitoring of Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) components within ASCenSIon project (ESR1)

About ASCenSIon

The purpose of the ASCenSIon project is to develop a programme that focuses on several specific areas of cutting-edge space access research, particularly on launcher systems that are (partially) reusable and capable of injecting multiple payloads into multiple orbits. More than providing design concepts, the network aims to identify and advance critical technologies to prove a feasibility of these concepts. Fields of research and training include propulsion technologies and their reusability; Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC); aero-thermo-dynamics of re-entry and safe disposal. A variety of technologies will be advanced, including hybrid rocket engines, electric pump feeding and advanced nozzle configurations. Both computational and experimental (cold-flow and hot fire) techniques will ensure an efficient process and reliable results. The reuse of propulsion systems demands an assessment of their durability. It will be conducted by numerical simulations, system analysis with EcosimPro/ESPSS and experimental test runs. The development and integration of wireless sensor networks will allow health monitoring of these critical subsystems. Moreover, novel GNC strategies and processes have to be developed for the whole mission trajectory. This includes solutions for optimised flexibility w.r.t. the orbital insertion conditions as well as dedicated descend trajectories and GNC missionisation for re-entry. The models will cover various recovery concepts and the support of multiple landing sites. This requires an extensive examination of the aero-thermodynamics during re-entry as well as of the interactions between stage recovery and propulsion system layout. Ecological and economical sustainability will be addressed as new payload concepts including large constellations increase the demand for safe disposal and space debris mitigation to ensure an open access to space in the future. Furthermore, the utilisation of so called green propellants will be investigated.

The ASCenSIon consortium includes Technische Universität Dresden, German Aerospace Center, SITAEL, Sapienza Università di Roma, ONERA, Université libre de Bruxelles, Hochschule Bremen, Università Di Pisa, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Politecnico di Milano, DEIMOS Space, ArianeGroup, ESA, AVIO, OHB, D-Orbit, SpaceForest and Telematic Solutions.

About the host organization

Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) is one of the largest technical universities in Germany and one of the leading and most dynamic institutions in the country. With 18 faculties in five schools, it offers a wide range of degree courses and covers a broad research spectrum with a focus on Health Sciences, Biomedicine & Bioengineering, Information Technology & Microelectronics, Smart Materials & Structures, Energy, Mobility & Environment as well as Culture & Societal Change, a combination of disciplines which is considered to be exemplary in Germany and throughout Europe. The TUD has about 32,400 students, one seventh of which come from abroad and 8,300 staff hailing from 70 countries. TUD ranks among the Top 100 of Europe’s Most Innovative Universities and in 2012 became one of the German “Universities of Excellence” (https://tu-dresden.de/). The Chair of Space Systems belongs to the School of Engineering Sciences at the Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden) which enjoys an excellent reputation: over 10,000 students, almost 2,000 employees in 40 institutes and centres contribute daily to engineering sciences. As part of it, with 24 employees, the Chair of Space Systems develops highly innovative space propulsion systems, their own sounding rocket as a platform for chemical rocket engines and small satellites with more than 20 space proven payload systems. That also compromises small sensor systems for different space applications, which is in focus as a part of this present project. (www.tu-dresden.de/ilr/rfs) Task description Your PhD project: The focus of the PhD project is on fundamental investigations that allow the subsequent development of a monitoring system that helps the operator of a reusable rocket to decide the reuse of the system at a high security level.

Problem Definition:

In reusable systems, health monitoring of critical subsystems is mandatory during operation in order to account for all influences and to ensure a safe and reliable access to space independent from the previous uses.

Research Objectives:

1. Investigation of different possible sensor technologies and requirements of the various RLV subsystems
2. Development of models, strategies, algorithms for exploitation of sensor measurement results for the critical evaluation of all RLV mission phases
3. Investigation of their respective structural, electrical and communication integration into the RLV subsystems like engines or structures

Expected Results:

1. Selection of sensors for time dependent data such as temperature and pressure distribution, critical gases, vibration, shock, electrostatic, -magnetic loads, acoustic emission, thermal insulation degradation etc. for integration in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs)
2. Strategies for the integration of WSNs in RLV subsystems including signal propagation power supply, structural integration and linking strategy
3. Algorithms for health monitoring of RLV, matching their mission design
4. A preliminary follow-up actions plan for maintenance and re-usage based on results of diagnosis and prognosis

Secondments:

Two secondments are foreseen:

1. SpaceForest (Poland)
2. AVIO S.p.A. (Italy), both for a duration of up to 5 months each

During the secondments, the PHD student shall investigate on wireless sensor requirements, integration and testing.