Aerodynamics of two capsules of different conception both equipped with aerodynamic control surfaces has been compared at high-altitude Earth reentry path. The capsules are comparable in size but completely different in shape and, hence, in the aerodynamic behavior. The capsules are: 1) a circular cylinder provided with four flapped fins (finned cylinder), 2) a capsule, here tagged as Reentry Space Vehicle (RSV), very similar in shape and dimensions to the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle. The study was carried out computationally in hypersonic, rarefied flow in terms of aerodynamic global coefficients (lift, drag, moments, etc.) computed by a three-dimensional direct simulation Monte Carlo code at the altitudes of 100 and 120 km, in the interval of angles of attack 0–50 deg and with flap angles of 0 and 20 deg. Computations verified that while RSV exerts a stronger aerodynamic force for the reduction of the capsule reentry velocity, the finned cylinder is better in terms of the attitude control capability. In fact, equilibrium of the finned cylinder is stable at zero angle of attack at the two altitudes, whereas the angle of attack of stable equilibrium of RSV changes with altitude. Hence, RSV needs to be provided with an active attitude control system.
Aerodynamic Comparison of Two Concept Capsules in Earth Reentry
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets ; 59 , 3 ; 826-833
2021-10-29
8 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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