Operating lighter-than-air vehicles (LTAVs) in high altitudes can cause aerodynamic problems from turbulent flow environments that generate gusty and high magnitude winds. Roy Hartfield, faculty member in aerospace engineering, is investigating LTAV aerodynamics and studying their behavior to extend the range of radar, provide higher solar panel efficiencies and allow the removal of ground station links.

Hartfield will explore the aerodynamic behavior of high altitude LTAV’s. The overall shape of the LTAV is similar to a missile due to dynamic stability requirements and axial symmetry conditions. High altitude gusts and high magnitude wind conditions often put a stable LTAV into an unstable environment. Hartfield will also look at reducing axial drag alongside dynamic stability. His group will conduct analysis of surface pressure distributions towards flow separations in the high turbulent regimes under study for high altitude applications. They will explore the development of a more advanced flow separation model based on adverse pressure gradients.