Rocket plume URANS simulation using OpenFOAM

A key aspect in the launch environment of a space vehicle is the generation and propagation of noise, due to its effect in the payload. Obtaining experimental measures is an extremely difficult, so CFD techniques appear as a useful tool to estimate both the spatial location of noise sources and their spectral power. In this paper, a numerical simulation has been carried out to simulate the supersonic impingement of the plume jet generated by the engine and the corresponding acoustic load generated in the launch platform of the VEGA rocket using a URANS model in OpenFOAM. •We present the simulation of the impingement of Vega’s Plume using OpenFOAM.•We show how to select the best models to perform this kind of simulation.•Available data after simulation includes the position of the shock waves formed.