PraVaHa stands for "Parallel RANS Solver for Aerospace Vehicle Aero-thermo-dynamic Analysis" and is a significant step forward in ISRO's capabilities for initial aerodynamic design studies of launch vehicles. It's particularly crucial for evaluating the aerodynamic and aerothermal loads on aerospace vehicles during launch or re-entry, which is essential for designing their shape, structure, and Thermal Protection System (TPS).
Unlike many commercial CFD software which are developed internationally, PraVaHa is an indigenous product developed by ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), tailored for the specific needs of India's aerospace missions.
The software is also being used extensively in the Gaganyaan program, which is India's human spaceflight mission. It has been instrumental in the aerodynamic analysis of human-rated launch vehicles, the Crew Escape System (CES), and the Crew Module (CM).
One of the key features of PraVaHa is its ability to utilize both CPU and GPU architectures of supercomputing facilities, making it a flexible and powerful tool for collaborative development with academic institutes and government labs. The software can simulate airflow for Perfect Gas & Real Gas conditions and is currently being validated for simulating the effects of chemical reactions during air dissociation upon earth re-entry and combustion in scramjet vehicles.
By making PraVaHa available to academia and other institutions engaged in the design of missiles, aircraft, and rockets, ISRO aims to support the goal of a self- reliant India. This move is expected to help find solutions to complex aerodynamic problems and foster collaborative development with academic institutes and government Labs.
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