Hypersonic Aerothermodynamics
DATE: 01-04 February 2027
LOCATION: online / on-site: Waterloosesteenweg, 72, 1640 Sint-Genesius-Rode, Belgium - near Brussels
ABOUT THE COURSE
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the physics of hypersonic flight, with a particular focus on the aerothermodynamic environment and the challenges it poses for the design and operation of high-speed vehicles.
The course begins by placing hypersonic flight in context, reviewing the flow regimes encountered along various flight trajectories and the key challenges faced by hypersonic vehicles.
Participants will develop an understanding of the fundamental phenomena governing atmospheric re-entry, including high-temperature gas dynamics, hypersonic aerodynamics, aerodynamic heating, and real-gas effects. Emphasis is placed on hypersonic flow physics, with dedicated lectures on high-speed boundary layers, laminar-to-turbulent transition, gas–surface interactions, convective and radiative heat transfer, and thermochemical non-equilibrium. Practical engineering methods for predicting aerodynamic performance, flight trajectories, boundary-layer stability, and aerothermal loads will be presented, alongside modern design approaches for advanced hypersonic vehicles, including waveriders.
The course concludes with an overview of state-of-the-art experimental and numerical techniques for the measurement, analysis, and modeling of hypersonic flows.
Participants will also benefit from a guided tour of VKI's unique hypersonic facilities, including the H3 blowdown tunnel, the Longshot gun tunnel, the high-enthalpy Plasmatron, and the rarefied DRAG-ON tunnel, providing direct exposure to world-class testing capabilities.
The course is intended for graduate students, researchers, and aerospace engineers seeking a solid foundation in hypersonic flight and atmospheric re-entry physics.
The course is directed by Prof. Guillaume Grossir from VKI.
PROGRAMME
Monday 1 February 2027
08:30 - 09:00 Registration
09:10 - 09:30 Welcome Address & Introduction
Prof. Guillaume Grossir, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
09:30 - 10:45 Introduction to Hypersonic Flight and Overview of Hypersonic flow physics
Prof. Guillaume Grossir and Prof. Olivier Chazot, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
10:45 - 11:15 Coffee break
11:15 - 12:30 Re-entry Trajectories and Hypersonic Environment
Prof. Guillaume Grossir, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
12:30 - 14:00 Lunch
14:00 - 15:15 Inviscid Hypersonic Gas Dynamics
Prof. Guillaume Grossir, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
15:15 - 15:45 Coffee break
15:45 - 17:00 Hypersonic Aerodynamics - Approximate Methods
Prof. Guillaume Grossir, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
17:00 - 18:00 Reception
Tuesday 2 February 2027
09:30 - 10:45 On the Design of Aerodynamically Efficient Hypersonic Vehicles (waveriders)
Prof. Guillaume Grossir, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
10:45 - 11:15 Coffee break
11:15 - 12:30 Viscous Hypersonic
Prof. Olivier Chazot, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
12:30 - 14:00 Lunch
14:00 - 15:15 Hypersonic Boundary Layer Laminar-to-turbulent Transition and Stability I
Prof. Guillaume Grossir, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
15:15 - 15:45 Coffee break
15:45 - 17:00 Hypersonic Boundary Layer Laminar-to-turbulent Transition and Stability II
Prof. Guillaume Grossir, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
Wednesday 3 February 2027
09:30 - 10:45 Gas-surface Interactions
Prof. Olivier Chazot von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
10:45 - 11:15 Coffee break
11:15 - 12:30 Hypersonic Heat Transfer Phenomena - Aerothermochemistry
Prof. Olivier Chazot, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
12:30 - 13:45 Lunch
13:45 - 15:15 Theory of High-Temperature Gases
Prof. Thierry Magin, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics and Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
15:15 - 15:45 Coffee break
15:45 - 17:00 High-Temperature Gas Modeling
Prof. Thierry Magin, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics and Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
Thursday 4 February 2027
09:30 - 10:45 Principles of Thermal Protection Systems Operation
Prof. Pierre Schrooyen, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
10:45 - 11:15 Coffee break
11:15 - 12:30 Numerical Challenges Associated with High-speed Flow Modelling
Prof. Pierre Schrooyen, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
12:30 - 14:00 Lunch
14:00 - 15:15 Hypersonic Facilities
Prof. Olivier Chazot, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
15:15 - 15:45 Coffee Break
15:45 - 17:00 VKI Laboratory Visit (Aerothermodynamic and Aerothermochemistry labs) - on-site participation only
FEE AND REGISTRATION
- Deadline for on-site registration: 18 January 2027
- Deadline for online registration: 25 January 2027
- Discount of 10% in case of online participation*
- Discount of 30% for citizens from NATO countries*
* applicable on the price listed below
Early Bird Registration until 1 December 2026
- Undergraduate students: €270
- PhD students: €720
- Staff from recognized universities / research center: €1368
- Staff from commercial organizations: €1728
Late Registration after 1 December 2026
- Undergraduate students: €300
- PhD students: €800
- Staff from recognized universities / research center: €1520
- Staff from commercial organizations: €1920