Supersonic & Hypersonic Flow Course | IIT Kharagpur NPTEL | Prof. Arnab Roy
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 102 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Aerospace Engineering |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 25 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master High-Speed Aerodynamics: A Comprehensive Guide to Supersonic & Hypersonic Flow
The realms of supersonic and hypersonic flight represent the cutting edge of aerospace technology, powering advancements in defense, space exploration, and high-speed transportation. Understanding the complex physics governing these extreme flow regimes is crucial for the next generation of engineers. To bridge this knowledge gap, the prestigious National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) offers a detailed 12-week course, "Fundamentals of Supersonic and Hypersonic Flow," instructed by the renowned Prof. Arnab Roy from IIT Kharagpur.
About the Course Instructor: Prof. Arnab Roy
Learning from an expert with both deep academic and practical insight is invaluable. Prof. Arnab Roy brings over 20 years of teaching experience at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels at IIT Kharagpur. His teaching prowess is reflected in consistently high student feedback ratings, often exceeding 4 on a scale of 0-5.
His expertise is not confined to the classroom. As a professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, his primary research interests lie in computational and experimental fluid dynamics and aerospace propulsion. He has guided numerous PhD scholars and undertaken significant projects for organizations like DRDO, ISRO, AR&DB, and international bodies like AOARD (Japan). Prof. Roy is also a seasoned NPTEL instructor, having previously offered popular courses on CFD and Aerodynamics.
You can view his detailed research profile here: https://www.iitkgp.ac.in/department/AE/faculty/ae-arnab
Who Should Enroll in This Course?
This course is meticulously designed for students and professionals looking to build a strong foundation in high-speed flows.
- Intended Audience: Fourth/Fifth-year UG, Dual Degree, Postgraduate, and PhD students in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and allied disciplines.
- Prerequisites: A basic course in fluid mechanics with an introductory exposure to compressible flow concepts.
- Industry Support: The curriculum is highly relevant for organizations working in high-speed flight, including ISRO, DRDL, ADA, NAL, GE, Boeing, and Airbus.
Course Objectives & Learning Outcomes
This course aims to demystify the complexities of compressible flows at supersonic and hypersonic speeds. It strikes a perfect balance between theoretical principles and numerical approaches without overwhelming detail. Upon successful completion, you will:
- Gain a clear understanding of the fundamental characteristics that distinguish supersonic and hypersonic flow regimes.
- Master the governing equations for both inviscid and viscous compressible flows.
- Analyze key phenomena like shock waves, expansion fans, and shock-boundary layer interactions.
- Delve into the critical area of high-temperature gas dynamics, including equilibrium and non-equilibrium chemistry, which is essential for hypersonic flight.
- Apply concepts to analyze flow over standard geometries and understand their implications for aerospace vehicle design.
- Appreciate the broader applications of shock waves beyond aerospace, in fields like medicine and astrophysics.
The course is designed to spark excitement and enthusiasm for advanced study and research in this dynamic field.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is structured to provide a logical and comprehensive progression from basic concepts to advanced applications.
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction, Characteristics, and Occurrence of Supersonic & Hypersonic Flows |
| Week 2 | Governing Equations for Inviscid Flow; Small Disturbance Theory |
| Week 3 | Waves, Normal/Oblique Shocks, Expansion Waves, and Shock Interactions |
| Week 4 | Viscous Compressible Flow, Aerodynamic Heating, Shock-Boundary Layer Interaction |
| Week 5 | High-Temperature Gas Dynamics: Thermodynamics & Equilibrium Chemistry |
| Week 6 | Statistical Thermodynamics, Energy Modes, Equilibrium Composition of Air |
| Week 7 | Non-Equilibrium Flows: Vibrational & Chemical Rate Equations |
| Week 8 | Inviscid High-Temperature Equilibrium Flow; Simulations with SU2/OpenFOAM |
| Week 9 | Inviscid High-Temperature Non-Equilibrium Flow; More Simulation Results |
| Week 10 | Chemically Reacting Viscous Flows with Radiative Effects |
| Week 11 | Revision & Flow Analysis over Standard Geometries (Flat Plate, Wedge, Blunt Body) |
| Week 12 | Design Implications & Other Applications of Shock Waves (Medical, Astrophysical) |
Recommended Textbooks & Resources
To supplement the video lectures, Prof. Roy recommends the following authoritative texts, including his own work:
- Modern Compressible Flow with Historical Perspective by John D. Anderson Jr., McGraw-Hill.
- Hypersonic and High-Temperature Gas Dynamics by John D. Anderson Jr., AIAA Education Series.
- A First Course on Aerodynamics by A. Roy. Available as an ebook: https://bookboon.com/en/a-first-course-on-aerodynamics-ebook
Why Enroll in This NPTEL Course?
In an era dominated by advancements in hypersonic missiles, reusable launch vehicles, and ambitious space missions, expertise in high-speed flows is a highly sought-after skill. This course, offered freely by NPTEL and taught by an IIT Kharagpur expert, provides an unparalleled opportunity to:
- Learn from a world-class instructor with extensive teaching and research experience.
- Build a strong theoretical and applied foundation critical for careers in R&D organizations like ISRO and DRDO, or global aerospace giants.
- Access structured, university-level content from the comfort of your home.
- Prepare for advanced studies or specialized roles in the rapidly growing field of high-speed aerodynamics and propulsion.
Whether you are a student aiming to specialize or a professional seeking to upskill, "Fundamentals of Supersonic and Hypersonic Flow" is your gateway to understanding the forces that shape the future of flight.
Enroll Now →