Parameter-varying aerodynamics model of unsteadily pitched wing in low reynolds number high mach flow conditions

As the Martian environment combines very low atmospheric density with a lower than Earth speed of sound, rotorcrafts such as NASA’s Ingenuity craft operate in a unique compressible low Reynolds Number (Re) flow regime. Through previous work conducted by the authors, this flow regime showcases novel dynamic shock-vortex interactions during dynamic pitching motions of an airfoil and wing. Observations showcased this interaction caused variations in the flow field and ultimately the aerodynamic loading on a wing different to what is typically observed in more common flow regimes. In the presented work, a method for modeling these load variations on a 3D wing will be demonstrated using reduced order modeling techniques to formulate a control-oriented model of the aerodynamic loads. The reduced order modeling approach will utilize high-fidelity LES simulations of a NACA 0012 wing in dynamic flight conditions which maximize the available information in the aerodynamic loading time series. These time histories will be used in the derivation of a linear parameter varying (LPV) state space model suitable for control. Optimal selection of flight conditions and modeling performance under arbitrary motions will be showcased against existing approaches such as the Leishmen-Beddoes model.