Aerothermal modeling for ground-based observatories: present and future

This paper presents the state-of-the-art techniques employed in aerothermal modeling to respond to the current observatory design challenges, and in particular those of the US Extremely Large Telescope Program (USELTP). It reviews the various aerothermal simulation techniques, the synergy between modeling outputs and observatory integrating modeling and recent applications. Finally, it addresses planned improvements, the development of new ideas, attacking new challenges and how it all ties to the AIAA “CFD 2030 Vision”.