Monte carlo technique for developing space shuttle solid rocket booster parachute loads

摘要

A Monte Carlo parachute dynamics simulation has recently been developed for calculation of parachute deployment loads for the NASA Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Decelerator Subsystem (DSS). Because of the wide range of deployment conditions, from SRB random reentry behavior to the uncertain nature of the parachute inflation characteristics, development of design loads for the DSS has been difficult. A root-sum-squared (RSS) method was previously used for the current SRB parachutes, but RSS does not accurately reflect the observed behavior and dispersions of the DSS. A Monte Carlo technique has been used since the early 1970's in the SRB reentry program to simulate a wide rang eof possible reentry trajectories. The need to develop more accurate parachute deployment design loads and the availability of increased computer capability has led to the incorporation of the Monte Carlo techniuqe into the SRB parachute dynamics simulation. This upgraded simulation is currently being used to develop design loads for a new lightweight parachute system for the SRB.