Synthesising optical and thermal emissions from hypersonic launch vehicles

About this project

Develop a space surveillance mission for hypersonic missile defence 

If you are seeking to build a career in the engineering sector and are passionate about defence & space, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within UniSA STEM, in partnership with Northrop Grumman Australia (NGA) and Spiral Blue. 

Hypersonic vehicles travel in excess of five-times the speed of sound, resulting in being very difficult to detect using conventional methods. This project is part of a wider multi-partner industry-based project through the iLaunch Trailblazer program to develop an AI/ML-enabled space surveillance mission for hypersonic missile defence. In your project, you will work closely with project partners to understand and model the radiation signature of vehicle launch and how radiation signatures may be detected from satellites in low-Earth orbit as part of a missile defence system. 

What you’ll do

In this project-based research degree, you will conduct CFD modelling of a launch vehicle plume to characterise associated ultraviolet, visible and infrared emissions and you will be required to liaise with industry and academic project partners. 

Upon completion of the project, you will understand and evaluate the requirements needed to detect this plume from low-Earth orbit and prepare publications for academic journals.  

You will have the opportunity to present your work at appropriate international conferences. 

Where you’ll be based

You will work within UniSA STEM at the University of South Australia Mawson Lakes campus in collaboration with iLaunch Trailblazer project partners. You will join a growing multidisciplinary team of engineering researchers in the field of hypersonic vehicle characterisation and detection and close collaborations with industry and academic collaborators. 

At UniSA STEM, we link engineering, mathematics, science, defence, cybersecurity, construction management, environmental science, aviation, information management, information technology, and project management, harnessing the connections across disciplines to bring big ideas to fruition.  

Our researchers deliver technical expertise and advice to industry, government and community groups to make commercially viable and sustainable impacts. The Future Industries Institute, Innovation and Collaboration Centre and Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments all provide consultancy and access to advanced technology.  

We integrate research into our teaching, with students working alongside researchers in first-class facilities. What’s discovered one day is taught the next.  
 
In an information-rich world, our people think big, combatting problems, testing solutions and making data-driven decisions. Our graduates are entrepreneurs and trailblazers, who design and build the world they want to live in. Financial Support

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 per annum is available to eligible applicants. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $50,291 per annum (2024 rates). A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information for domestic students or international students.

Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from both domestic and international applicants. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD.

Additionally, applicants must meet the project selection criteria: 

• Hold an Honours or Master degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related field (essential)
• Experience using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to model compressible and/or reacting flows (desirable)

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our Mawson Lakes campus in the north of Adelaide.

Essential Dates

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Sunday 12 January 2025.