HPT at the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, Australia
HPT researchers heading to IAC 2025 [Photo by Kay on Unsplash – graphic elements added]
Published Sep 25, 2025
The 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025) will take place in Sydney, Australia, from 29 September to 4 October 2025, under the theme “Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth.” More than 3,000 participants have already registered, making it one of the largest gatherings of the global space community. We are proud that colleagues from HPT will be part of this important forum.
The guiding theme of IAC 2025 explores the essential connection between space innovation and sustainability, focusing on three areas:
space-based applications for Earth,
sustainable space activities, and
sustaining life beyond Earth.
The congress brings together scientists, engineers, industry, and policymakers to share knowledge, present new research, and discuss the future of space activities. Academic sessions are designed to challenge conventional thinking and inspire fresh approaches, while also supporting the next generation of researchers and practitioners.
From our division, colleagues will present three papers within the
MERiT+ project
, which is carried out in collaboration with GKN Aerospace Sweden and Siemens Energy, and funded by the Swedish National Space Agency.
Papers and Contributions
Authors: Aashna, Jules, Jens
Additive Manufacturing (AM) results in high surface roughness, which can influence the functionality of components both positively and negatively. With the increasing adoption of AM techniques for rocket engine components, it is important to understand the effects of material choices and build angles, particularly regarding pressure in rocket cooling channels. This work demonstrates a combined experimental, metrological, and numerical methodology for quantifying and predicting friction factors in AM channels. The proposed correlation, calibrated for Haynes 230 LPBF channels in the turbulent regime, bridges advanced surface characterization with classical fluid mechanics and provides a foundation for more reliable design of AM-based cooling systems.
Authors: Taras, Sebestyén, Jules, Jens
The drive for more affordable access to space has focused attention on various aspects of launch operations, most notably the reusability of launch vehicles. Fuel choice has a broad impact on these operations, influencing rocket design as well as practical issues of fuel supply and handling. Fuel quality also affects sourcing, sustainability, and fouling characteristics, all of which play a role in reusability. This work investigates the thermal stability of methane-based fuels on nickel and the nickel superalloy Inconel 600, focusing on the influence of ethane, propane, and carbon dioxide — common components in methane sources such as natural gas and biogas.
Authors: Jules, Taras, Jens
The thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon fuels, known as pyrolysis, is a key cause of fouling in rocket engines. The deposition of pyrolytic coke on engine components can increase wear, clog cooling channels and injectors, and, in extreme cases, lead to mission failure. For reusable rockets, this also means a higher maintenance burden. The occurrence of pyrolysis is influenced by factors such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, material composition, and surface roughness. This work compares how surface roughness, resulting from different manufacturing techniques, affects methane pyrolysis and coke deposition on the nickel alloys Haynes 230 and Inconel 625.
We are glad to contribute to IAC 2025 and to share our research with an international audience. The congress is a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaborations, and showcase how HPT contributes to the sustainable future of space technologies.
👉 If you would like to know more about these works or explore possible collaborations, don't hesitate to reach out to our colleagues at the conference.
