Wind Tunnel test campaign 2019

15th January 2019

Following last year aerodynamic study of the Huygens probe, a new wind tunnel tests campaign is planned from the 21st of January to the 8th of February. The preparation of the campaign is now well underway. Some improvements of the 1/3rd Huygens mock-up of the probe should provide more precise results.

*

For this campaign, a new cupola was created to be more accurate regarding the original design of the Huygens probe. 

Picture of the new cupola of the probe mock-up without vanes

This year edition will feature more precise measurements using a new torque meter, which should clarify some results with its higher accuracy.

This year study will heavily rely on previous year experiment reports and data, allowing the project team to focus more on previously revealed key points.

In that way, new spin vanes were printed in resin with the help of the new 3D printer of the PRISME Laboratory. In fact, the inclination angle of the previous vanes was too high: they were inclined by 6.8˚ instead of a 2.8˚ angle which could affect the final spin of the probe.

New HASI boom supports were made to allow an intermediate position for an angle of 45˚ while only a closed or fully deployed position of the booms was available last year. This new configuration should help understanding the influence of their position on the rotation of the probe and whether they were properly deployed during its descent on Titan.

All the improvements brought to the 2019 campaign will give new keys to the project team to finally explain the unexpected spin of the probe.

*