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PraVaHa
Context:
Recently, ISRO has developed a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software called Parallel RANS Solver for Aerospace Vehicle Aero-thermo-dynamic Analysis (PraVaHa).
More on News
- ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) developed software capable of simulating external and internal flows on launch vehicles and winged and non-winged re-entry vehicles.
- The software is used for initial aerodynamic design studies of launch vehicles, which require evaluation of numerous configurations.
- Aerospace vehicles experience severe aerodynamic and aerothermal loads during launch or re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, including external pressure and heat flux.
- Understanding airflow around aircraft, rocket bodies, or Crew Modules (CM) during Earth re-entry is crucial for designing their shape, structure, and Thermal Protection System (TPS).
Key Features
- Unsteady Aerodynamics
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- Feature: Accounts for unsteady aerodynamics causing significant acoustic noise during missions.
- Capability: Accurately predicts complex aerodynamic flows by solving conservation equations of mass, momentum, and energy.
- Gaganyaan Program
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- Usage: Extensively used for aerodynamic analysis in the Gaganyaan program.
- Vehicles Analysed: Human-rated launch vehicles including HLVM3, Crew Escape System (CES), and Crew Module (CM).
- High-Performance Computing
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- Design: Utilises both CPU and GPU architectures.
- Efficiency: Runs efficiently on supercomputing facilities.
- Collaborative Development: Allows collaboration with academic institutes and government labs.
- Validation Efforts: Includes simulating chemical reactions during air dissociation upon Earth re-entry and combustion (as in scramjet vehicles).
- Impact and Future Prospects
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- Replacement: Aims to replace commercial software for aero characterisation.
- Empowerment: Benefits academia and institutions in missile, aircraft, and rocket design.
- Self-Reliance: Reflects ISRO’s commitment to Atma Nirbhar India (self-reliant India) through indigenous software development.