ISRO Develops PraVaHa Software for Aerodynamic Design and Analysis

ISRO, through its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), has introduced the PraVaHa software, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tool aimed at facilitating aerodynamic design and analysis for aerospace vehicles.

Aerodynamic Design and Analysis

PraVaHa, acronym for “Parallel RANS Solver for Aerospace Vehicle Aero-thermo-dynamic Analysis,” is tailored to simulate both external and internal flows on various types of vehicles, including launch vehicles, winged, and non-winged re-entry vehicles.

Functionality and Applications

This CFD software enables the understanding of airflow around aircraft, rocket bodies, and Crew Modules during earth re-entry, crucial for shaping design elements such as structure and Thermal Protection Systems (TPS). It addresses the challenges posed by unsteady aerodynamics, including flow disturbances and acoustic noise generation during missions.

Capabilities and Scope

PraVaHa leverages advancements in CFD technology, offering accurate predictions for complex aerodynamic flows and faster simulation turnaround times, particularly on High-Performance Computing Clusters. Its versatility extends to CPU and GPU architectures, making it adaptable to current and upcoming supercomputing facilities.

Application in Gaganyaan Program

PraVaHa has played a significant role in the Gaganyaan program, facilitating aerodynamic analysis for human-rated launch vehicles like HLVM3, Crew Escape System (CES), and Crew Module (CM). Its collaborative framework allows for partnerships with academic institutes and government labs.

Future Prospects

With ongoing validations and enhancements, PraVaHa aims to incorporate simulations for scenarios involving chemical reactions during air dissociation and combustion, particularly relevant for vehicles like scramjets. Its eventual integration is anticipated to replace commercial software in many aero characterization simulations, benefiting academia and institutions engaged in aerospace design endeavors. Through PraVaHa, ISRO aims to contribute to India’s self-reliance aspirations in aerospace technology.