"New trends on space launchers design" - July 12, 2024, Friday, 3:00 pm, Pavilhão de Mecânica II, amphitheatre AM

Date: July 12, 2024, Friday
Time: 3:00 pm
Place: Pavilhão de Mecânica II, amphitheatre AM

• Speaker: Alain de Souza (Scientific Area of Applied Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering of DEM/IST, IDMEC - Institute of Mechanical Engineering, LAETA)

• Title: "New trends on space launchers design"

• Abstract:

Within the context of the new era of space exploration, known as New Space, the demand for the launch of nano and microsatellites (up to 1200 kg) is growing. Consequently, there is a pressing need for the design and operation of new specialized launch vehicles, capable of placing satellites into low Earth orbit, while meeting performance, safety, and sustainability requirements. Studies indicate that among the three propulsion systems, i.e. liquid, solid and hybrid, the latter is the safest and most sustainable. The hybrid rocket motor uses fuel that contains two elements in different states, with the oxidizer in liquid form and the propellant in solid form. This combination provides a safer system, as the two elements are separated and inert, thereby reducing the risk of explosions and/or intoxications. Tools such as multidisciplinary optimization can be implemented to ensure compliance with all imposed constraints, making the project as sustainable, low-emission, reusable, and safe as possible. All the aforementioned factors must be considered when planning and executing space missions, ensuring that efforts to promote sustainability in space do not harm the space environment and the planet Earth.

• Short Biographic Note:

Alain de Souza is currently an Assistant Professor in the Scientific Area of Applied Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM) at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), University of Lisbon (UL), as well as a researcher at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IDMEC). He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering and Space Technologies from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) in São José dos Campos, Brazil, in 2017. Over the past five years, Alain has focused his research on rocket design, unconventional aircraft, and spacecraft systems. In the field of rocket design, he has been involved in developing optimized and modular software for conceptual rocket design, making use of advanced multidisciplinary optimization techniques.

This is another Seminar of the “Seminars@DEM” cycle.
Next Seminar, October 4, 2024, Friday, 3:00 pm.