Optimizing Artemis II: NASA's LAVA Framework Enhances Launch Safety

Airflow around rockets significantly impacts mission success. NASA employed advanced simulations to optimize launch conditions for the Artemis II test flight.

Unveiling Rocket Dynamics with LAVA

Engineers utilized NASA's Launch, Ascent, and Vehicle Aerodynamics (LAVA) framework, a computational fluid dynamics tool, to understand the flight environment of the Artemis Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

Researchers at NASA's Ames Research Center used LAVA with data from the 2022 Artemis I launch. They simulated complex interactions between the rocket plume and a sound suppression system, which protects equipment from sound waves during launch.

Simulations indicated that while the water in the sound suppression system effectively reduces pressure waves, exhaust gases from the rocket could redirect water, leading to significant pressure increases in certain launchpad areas.

Refining Designs for Artemis II's Crewed Mission

These LAVA simulations enhanced understanding of the plume's interaction with the Artemis mobile launcher platform. Aerospace engineers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center used this knowledge to refine plume pressure designs and adapt the launch platform for Artemis II, the first crewed mission using the SLS and Orion spacecraft.

NASA to Release LAVA for Broader Aerospace Innovation

NASA plans to release the LAVA framework to the broader aerospace community in the coming weeks. This initiative aims to accelerate innovation by enabling U.S. companies and researchers to conduct complex simulations and optimize aircraft and rocket designs.

Development of LAVA is supported by NASA’s Transformational Tools and Technologies project, which is part of the Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program. This project focuses on developing new computational capabilities to predict aerospace vehicle performance.

NASA's extensive aeronautics research expertise strengthens its space missions, leveraging tools such as wind tunnel testing and advanced software to improve safety and reliability.