Aerothermodynamics of the Stardust Sample Return Capsule

摘要

The development of a new high-fidelity methodology for predicting entry flows with coupled radiation and ablation is described. The prediction methodology consists of an axisymmetric, nonequilibrium, Navier-tokes flow solver loosely coupled to a radiation prediction code and a material thermal response code. The methodology is used to simulate the 12.6-km/s Earth atmospheric entry of the Stardust sample return capsule using ablating and nonablating boundary conditions.