Hypersonic communications challenges
Analysis of plasma sheath effects, RF attenuation, reflection, scattering, and communications blackout risk in hypersonic and re-entry environments.
Hypersonics, Materials, and Extreme Environments
Thrust Area
Hypersonics, Materials, and Extreme Environment Systems
COSMIAC develops materials, antennas, simulations, and prototypes for hypersonic and extreme-environment systems, including RF blackout studies, plasma-informed modeling, ceramic and refractory material workflows, and ground/airborne test support.
This thrust brings together materials research, antenna development, RF propagation, directed energy, plasma-informed modeling, and rapid manufacturing.
Legacy directed-energy image can be used as an interim visual. A hypersonic plasma, materials, or antenna image should be added when available.
Systems that must survive heat, plasma, RF stress, and test complexity
Hypersonic systems operate in extreme environments where thermal loads, plasma effects, materials performance, antenna behavior, communications blackout, and test complexity create tightly coupled engineering challenges.
COSMIAC supports this area through modeling, prototype development, materials workflows, RF analysis, directed-energy-adjacent expertise, and ground/airborne test support.
Focus areas
- Hypersonic communications blackout studies
- Extreme-environment antennas and radomes
- Ceramic and refractory material workflows
- Plasma-informed modeling and simulation
- Ground and airborne prototype support
- Directed-energy-adjacent research support
Capabilities
Integrated support for materials, antennas, RF behavior, modeling, and prototype readiness in extreme environments.
Materials and antenna development
Material processing workflows for ceramics, refractory metals, dual-material antenna structures, radomes, and extreme-environment components.
Plasma-informed modeling
Simulation-informed studies connecting hypersonic fluid mechanics, plasma behavior, RF environment prediction, and communications performance.
Ground and airborne prototype support
Hardware and software prototypes for ground and airborne testing, including test article planning, instrumentation concepts, and rapid iteration.
Directed-energy-adjacent research
Connection to UNM ecosystem expertise in directed energy, pulsed power, microwave systems, and plasma-related technical studies.
Material property measurement
Planning and interpretation for dielectric, mechanical, and thermal properties relevant to aerospace materials and antenna structures.
Engineer for extreme environments.
Work with COSMIAC on hypersonic materials, antennas, RF effects, plasma-informed analysis, or ground/airborne prototype support.
