University of Tokyo tested magnetohydrodynamic technology

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have tested a new technology aimed at reducing the heat load generated when spacecraft enter the atmosphere. One.uz reports.

This technology is based on the magnetohydrodynamic principle, bypassing the use of heat-absorbing materials. The goal is to expand the plasma layer within a magnetic field, moving it away from the spacecraft's surface.

Therefore, the scientists created a special experimental device. This device consists of a powerful electromagnet, whose field is designed to alter the structure of the plasma layer.

The results of the experiment show that this approach can significantly reduce the heat load. Advantages of the magnetohydrodynamic approach Currently, ablative materials or heat-resistant metals are used to protect spacecraft from heat.

However, they increase the weight of the structure and make reuse difficult. The new approach, on the other hand, acts directly on the ionized gas, expanding it in a magnetic field to lower the temperature.

At the same time, it also helps increase aerodynamic drag, allowing for a faster reduction in speed. This approach increases protection efficiency without increasing the structural mass.

Experimental results and future perspectives During the experiment, a shock wave traveling at a speed of over 7 kilometers per second was applied to the model. The scientists used a compact, tunable pulsed electromagnet.

These magnets achieved strengths of 1.24 and 1.58 Tesla — a result twice as high as previous neodymium permanent magnets. After the electromagnet was activated, the luminous layer of the heated gas thickened by 15 percent.

This indicates that the magnetic field truly altered the plasma layer. For now, this technology has only been tested under laboratory conditions, but it is expected to be applied to real spacecraft in the future.