Aachen University Team Secures Second Place in NASA/DLR Design Challenge

In a remarkable showcase of innovation and skill, Aerospace Engineering students from Aachen University, Germany, excelled in the DLR/NASA Design Challenge held in the summer of 2017. This competition was centered around designing quieter and more efficient supersonic jets. The Aachen team opted for the “Revolutionary quiet and low-emission flying” category, aligning with global objectives to counter climate change and meet the increasing demand for sustainable mobility in aviation. The challenge emphasized the need for groundbreaking ideas in aircraft and propulsion technology to exceed current technical limitations for low emissions, reduced noise, and enhanced efficiency.

The students leveraged FlightStream® as their core tool for external aerodynamics analysis, achieving faster and equally accurate results compared to conventional CFD solvers. Impressively, the team mastered FlightStream® amidst their design process, a testament to their adaptability and dedication.

Their innovative approach earned them the second position, surpassing numerous other entries. A detailed report of the student’s design is available for download from the event’s webpage.

At Research in Flight, we take immense pride in the achievements of these students, especially given the tight timeframe of the competition. Their final submission was made in June 2017, with the results announced in the autumn of the same year. Stay tuned for further insights into their submission, which will be shared post-competition.

Author: Vivek Ahuja