Thermal-structural modelling of TDLAS system for SCRAMSPACE hypersonic flight test

A thermal-structural analysis of the TDLAS (Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy) system used on the SCRAMSPACE mission was performed to determine the integrity of the in-flight experiment when subjected to descent heat loads. This analysis is essential for the design of optical sensing equipment, which needs to survive the high temperatures generated in hypersonic flight. Firstly, in-flight temperatures reached by critical electro-optical components due to viscous heating were determined. In addition, the structural viability of the sapphire optical window was analysed to ensure it surpassed requirements at flight heating conditions. Lastly, the effect that in-flight heating has on the optical alignment of the system is currently being investigated. It was found that electronic components will operate within recommended temperature bounds. In addition, numerical and experimental analysis verified the flight worthiness and seal integrity of the sapphire window when subjected to the simulated hypersonic flight conditions.