Overview

Plasma Flow Modification was a set of experiments attempted by Rocket Team in Spring of 2016.

Circumferential Plasma Drag Reduction

The first iteration of the plasma experiment used electrodes which wrapped  around the entirety of the vehicle to reduce its overall drag. Literature suggested that 10% drag reduction was possible. Due to uncertainty regarding the performance of the rocket this method was unsuitable to characterize the effects of the plasma system.

Solid State Roll Control

To overcome the inherent unknowns in the circumferential  plasma design, a set of canards was designed that would stall under normal conditions and upon activation of the plasma generate significant torque to change the roll rate of the vehicle. This system was proven in the Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel in May of 2016.

Working Theory

Using copper and kapton electrodes high voltage, high frequency power causes the breakdown of air. The charged environment near the electrodes then accelerates the plasma, adding momentum to the stream over that surface. This can be used to unstall airfoils or decrease drag.

Plasma Drag Reduction Whitepaper

Test Data

Plasma Test Data