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The Combs research group at UTSA explores high-speed aerodynamic and compressible flow phenomena using cutting-edge optical diagnostic experimental techniques, image processing, and data analysis. We make measurements in supersonic, hypersonic, and reacting flows with broad applications in aerospace and energy, with specific relevance to jet aircraft, air-breathing propulsion, and space access. Our primary research facility is the recently completed UTSA Mach 7 Ludwieg Tube. With experience partnering with NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and DARPA, we are working to push the state-of-the-art in aerothermodynamics and make the next generation of high-speed systems a reality. Please contact Dr. Combs for additional information if you are interested in wind tunnel facility use.

Check out the video overviews of our research below:

In The News

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Port San Antonio jockeying to be ‘flying car’ hub

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Figuring out GE Aerospace’s hypersonic aircraft engine breakthrough

NASA Unveils Mind-Blowing Video of Orion Spacecraft Blazing As It Returns to Earth

Starship’s 33 Engines Created The Mother Of All ‘Shock Diamonds’

SpaceX continues preparing for potential Friday launch

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UTSA faculty earn tenure, promotion, emeritus recognition

Three faculty members earn NSF Early CAREER Awards to accelerate research

Hypersonic Fever! With Chris Combs and Alex Hollings – The Hermeus Podcast 18

Combs and Restrepo Receive NSF CAREER Project Awards

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UTSA researcher Chris Combs explores new frontiers in state-of-the-art hypersonics lab

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Supersonic twist

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Video: Shock Waves, Expansion Fans & Supersonic Flow – Dr. Chris Combs | Podcast #88

American technology boosts China’s hypersonic missile program

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Flying Commercially at Supersonic Speed Could be in Our Future

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Everything We Know About the Air Force’s Secret Plan to Develop a Hypersonic Bomber

Russia’s bluster over International Space Station

UFOs, a portal to another dimension? We verify the origin of the spiral of light seen in New Zealand

On video: The truth about a strange figure in the sky that some thought was a portal to another dimension

The University of Texas at San Antonio leads materials separation study

Video: Russia and China are ahead of US in hypersonic missile technology. Here’s why

Thread on Boeing Starliner Design

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How Russia Beat America to the Hypersonic Missile

What are hypersonic weapons and is Russia’s use of them in Ukraine the start of a new arms race?

How will the Russian invasion impact U.S.-Russia cooperation in space?

This Week in CFD (Feb. 25, 2022)

10 Biggest Myths in (High-Speed) Aerodynamics

NASA Announces End To ISS, Plans Crash Into Pacific Ocean

China ‘Mocks’ US Hypersonic Tech With New Wind Tunnel ‘Success’; Experts Decode Beijing’s Next-Gen Weapons Program

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Commentary: Time for Elon to lead as a human, too

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UT-Austin and UT-San Antonio granted $1.5 million to research hypersonics, the future of high-speed travel

Father of five juggles family and research to earn master’s degree

Commentary: Other close encounters to watch for

Hypersonic ‘arms race risks military misstep’ from China, US and Russia

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Department of Defense’s Joint Hypersonics Transition Office announces inaugural University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics awardees

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New high-tech video camera creating unique opportunities

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Graduate School Application Advice from Dr. Chris Combs

Russia, China, the U.S.: Who Will Win the Hypersonic Arms Race?

Raw Speed: The Extreme Conditions of Hypersonic Flight

University leading effort to prep for local aerospace economy

NASA visit to UTSA highlight’s CAMEE’s first anniversary

Airplane Geeks Podcast Ep. 622: Hypersonic Flight w/ Dr. Chris Combs

The sky is the limit for UTSA students selected for NASA competition

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Thread on Vapor Cones

USAF Errantly Reveals Research On ICBM-Range Hypersonic Glide Vehicle

Thread on Detonation Engines

Extreme environments center hosts virtual teacher workshop

The Need for Speed (and Maneuverability)

Researchers receive funding to study hypersonic flight environments

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Thread on Turbine-Based Combined Cycle Engines

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Coast-To-Coast in 30 Minutes: Solving the Physics of Hypersonic Flight

Combs receives USAF grant to study effects of hypersonic shock waves

BBC Newsday: Update on Russian Avangard Hypersonic Weapon (Audio at 18:20)

Russian intercontinental hypersonic weapon has become operational

Air Force awards grants to 40 scientists and engineers through young investigator research program

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Apprenticeship Programs Are Too Few And Far Between

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