FEBRUARY 25, 2021 — UTSA’s vision to become a premier national research institution will soon get a blast in that direction thanks to important hypersonics research taking place on campus. Under the direction of Chris Combs, Dee Howard Endowed Assistant Professor in Aerodynamics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, UTSA is nearing the completion of a state-of-the-art, multi-million-dollar wind tunnel funded by the university.
Officially known as the UTSA Mach 7 Ludwieg Tube, the device will be able to conduct hypersonic-related research with speeds over 2,500 miles per hour. Combs’s expertise in hypersonics has recently generated inquiries from the media to comment on how this science impacts NASA’s current mission to Mars and the landing of the Perseverance rover.
“It’s hypersonics. That's what’s involved with making this landing happen and that’s the type of research we specialize in with my hypersonics lab at UTSA,” Combs said. “So when any kind of spacecraft coming from Earth hits the Mars atmosphere, it’s moving at hypersonic speed, which creates several challenges entering an atmosphere that fast, which is compounded by the significantly thinner atmosphere of Mars compared to Earth.”
Combs’ research in hypersonics will soon take a Mach-speed leap forward with the completion of the Ludwieg Tube. This highly-advanced wind tunnel will feature some unique capabilities that will distinguish it from similar tubes in the United States. First, it will be used to test a variety of conditions with speeds up to Mach 7, which is seven times the speed of sound. Combs and his research team will test conditions related to hypersonic and supersonic flows, aerodynamics, turbulence, energy and propulsion. Data from this research is of great interest to NASA and the U.S. military.
Another unique feature of UTSA’s Ludwieg Tube is the ability to mimic various atmospheric conditions including a mix of gas that comprises the atmosphere of Mars.
“In doing that you can help understand all the variables involved with landing and with launching a spacecraft from Mars,” Combs said. “One of the reasons we're building this wind tunnel is to be able to study these environments and help improve our understanding of the physics at play, so future spacecraft can be more efficiently designed.”
The Ludwieg Tube Mach 7 is nearing completion. Ironically, it was the Earth’s atmospheric conditions that caused a delay. February’s polar vortex in San Antonio kept crews from working on the project, pushing it out a few more weeks.
“It’s undergoing final assembly and we’re targeting the end of the spring 2021 semester to have it complete,” Combs predicted.
As part of UTSA’s Classroom to Career strategic initiative, Combs’ students will gain valuable experience working directly with the Mach 7 wind tunnel, which could attract more students to pursue degrees in aerospace engineering, which are in strong demand to support a growing aerospace industry in San Antonio and the nation.
As a scientist and space travel enthusiast, Combs understands what’s at stake through hypersonics research with missions to Mars and beyond.
“There's something in the human DNA to explore, to branch out, to see what's out there, and Mars is the next logical step.” said Combs. “If civilization is going to outlive Earth or problems we create on Earth, we need to develop the capability to get off the planet and get to another planet—probably get to other solar systems. But you know, one thing at a time.”
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Archaeology 201 will briefly go over the foundations of archaeology and related skills, followed by a different topic over the course of this week (like skeletal analysis, global cultures, and more).
Center for Archaeological Research, UTSA Main CampusCraft a comic to create your own narrative and find your voice through storytelling. Participants will learn to create characters that are self-reflective and through a community lens.
REGSS Community Room (DB 3.202,) UTSA Downtown CampusJoin the Student Involvement Center and the Whataburger Resource Room (Food-Pantry) for a service project! Help us prepare for the Roadrunner Days Move-In Market on Thursday, July 25 from 11 AM - 2 PM by assisting us with the following volunteer needs. We are preparing for UTSA's largest garage sale, but everything is free for our students!
BK Lot 5 Building (Next to Campus Garden), Main CampusCome enjoy a discussion on art as a self expression in the age of moving technology and telling your story with a community.
REGSS Community Room (DB 3.202,) UTSA Downtown CampusThe UTSA Veteran and Military Office will be holding a social event for our new military-affiliated students to come out and meet our office, staff, and other students.
MB 0.100, Ground Floor Lobby, Main BuildingThe Student Union invites you to join us for Kickback at the Union, a fun event designed to get you acquainted with all of the services available in the Student Union!
Student UnionInterested in learning more about the different fraternities and sororities in the Multicultural Greek Council? Come meet our organizations and enjoy free food and music.
Retama Galleria (SU 2.02,) Main CampusThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.