Tang Wei and Yang Xiaofeng and Gui Yewei and Du Yanxia
Aerodynamic Prediction and Performance Analysis for Mars Science Laboratory Entry Vehicle
1040 - 1045
2015
9
6
International Journal of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
https://publications.waset.org/pdf/10001723
https://publications.waset.org/vol/102
World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
Complex lifting entry was selected for precise landing
performance during the Mars Science Laboratory entry. This study
aims to develop the threedimensional numerical method for precise
computation and the surface panel method for rapid engineering
prediction. Detailed flow field analysis for Mars exploration mission
was performed by carrying on a series of fully threedimensional
NavierStokes computations. The static aerodynamic performance was
then discussed, including the surface pressure, lift and drag coefficient,
lifttodrag ratio with the numerical and engineering method.
Computation results shown that the shock layer is thin because of
lower effective specific heat ratio, and that calculated results from both
methods agree well with each other, and is consistent with the
reference data. Aerodynamic performance analysis shows that CG
location determines trim characteristics and pitch stability, and certain
radially and axially shift of the CG location can alter the capsule lifting
entry performance, which is of vital significance for the aerodynamic
configuration design and inner instrument layout of the Mars entry
capsule.
Open Science Index 102, 2015