Impact of fundamental molecular kinetics on macroscopic properties of high-enthalpy flows: The case of hypersonic atmospheric entry

Thermochemical nonequilibrium is one of the most challenging issues when dealing with hypersonic flows experienced by objects (space vehicles, meteoroids, space debris) at atmospheric entry. The case of a hypersonic flow past a sphere is considered as a test model for systems in strong chemical and thermal nonequilibrium conditions, mimicking the extreme environment experienced by objects entering a planetary atmosphere. The problem has been studied using the state-to-state approach, calculating directly the distribution of vibrational levels of O2 and N2, together with the flow field, including also viscous effects. Nonequilibrium distributions are observed and the results have been compared with macroscopic experimental data, showing that the state-to-state model is able to provide better capabilities for predicting experimental results than the traditional multitemperature approach. The use of graphics processing units allowed us to obtain these results in a two-dimensional configuration, opening additional perspectives in the investigation of reacting flows.