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2026 Vol.6, Issue 1 Preview Page

Research Article

Numerical Study of Supersonic Retro-Propulsion Flow Characteristics based on Low-Altitude Descending Flight Mach Numbers
Chae-Hyoung Kima*
aKSLV-III System Team, Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Daejeon 34133, Korea
*Corresponding Author
31 May 2026. pp. 68-86
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Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive investigation of SRP (Supersonic Retro-Propulsion) flow characteristics of a small launch vehicle equipped with a rocket engine. CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations were conducted under free-fall conditions to examine the influence of descending flight Mach number and MFR (Mass Flow Ratio) on the flow field surrounding the base rocket body and nozzle. When SRP is applied, the flow behavior is strongly dependent on MFR. At lower MFR values, direct interaction between the bow shock and exhaust plume causes the high-temperature jet to envelop the base body, with wall temperatures exceeding 2000 K. In the intermediate MFR regime (7.8-9.3), the exhaust plume becomes the dominant factor, while Mach disk formation promotes turbulence and heating within the plume wake, leading to reduced wall temperatures on the base body. For MFR values exceeding 10, the flow undergoes a transition from SPM (Short Penetration Mode) to LPM (Long Penetration Mode). This LPM is characterized by an elongated exhaust jet, a weak downstream bow shock, and extensive recirculation zones. Overall, the results demonstrate that low MFR values induce strong plume-shock interactions and high thermal loads on the rocket body, whereas higher MFR values shift the flow dominance to the exhaust plume, mitigating heating effects.

Keywords
Supersonic Retro-Propulsion
CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)
Short Penetration Mode
Long Penetration Mode
Re-Entry
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국추진공학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Propulsion and Energy
  • Journal Title(Ko) :Free Open Access International Journal on Propulsion and Energy Science and Technology
  • Volume : 6
  • No :1
  • Pages :68-86
  • Received Date : 2026-03-18
  • Revised Date : 2026-05-12
  • Accepted Date : 2026-05-13
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.6108/JPNE.2026.6.1.068
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