Doctoral Candidate Presents Rotating Detonation Engine Research at IWDP 2026

Following our earlier coverage of IWDP 2026, we are pleased to highlight the contribution of one of the doctoral candidates Mathieu Constant from the H2POWRD Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network.

This temperature map from a 3D simulation of a Rotating Detonation Engine shows a detonation wave (in red) consuming the fresh injected Air and Hydrogen injected (in blue) as it rotates inside the chamber annulus. Starting with the understanding of the fundamental physics of injection and with the design of injector systems is the key to make Rotating Detonation Engines work.

He had the chance to present his recent progress on this topic conducted in the scope of the H2POWRD Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network, at the International Workshop on Detonation for Propulsion (IWDP) in Tokyo, Japan in May.

During his visit to Japan, Mathieu also had the opportunity to visit Nagoya University's Detonation Laboratory, which is renowned for enabling the world's first space flight demonstration of a Rotating Detonation Engine in 2021.

A message displayed in the laboratory reflected the spirit of innovation and perseverance that drives research in this field:

"小さく作れば 大きく進む"

"Start building small, make big progress."

The H2POWRD consortium congratulates👏 Mathieu on presenting his research to the international propulsion community and looks forward to following the future developments arising from this work.

Researcher

• Mathieu Constant (ONERA)

Supervisors

• Dr. Thomas Gaillard (ONERA)

• Prof. Dmitry Davidenko (ONERA)

Related Article

• International Workshop on Detonation for Propulsion (IWDP) 2026 (https://www.h2powrd.eu/post/h2powrd-participation-at-iwdp-2026-yokohama-japan)