Assessment of MHD-relevant parameters in high enthalpy air plasma for flow manipulation experiments

As part of the EU New Horizon 2020 project on a Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Enhanced Entry System for Space Transportation (MEESST) superconducting magnetic coils will be exposed within an MHD probe to a high enthalpy air plasma. This study assesses key parameters for MHD flow manipulation experiments with the aid of emission spectroscopy measurements of high enthalpy air plasma flows. Thus, the electric conductivity of the plasma and the respective experimental Stuart number and magnetic Reynolds number are derived and compared to literature. The results show that the Lorentz forces are dominating the viscous and inertia forces of the plasma flow by orders of magnitude. When the MHD probe will be exposed to the investigated plasma flow, a significant MHD effect should be observable. •Successful assessment of MHD flow parameters in high enthalpy air plasma.•Accounting for Hall effects is crucial in MHD flow manipulation experiments.•Significant MHD effect expected when introducing probe to high enthalpy air plasma.