Propulsion Deceleration Studies Using Planar Laser-Induced Iodine Fluorescence and Computational Fluid Dynamics

Abstract

Future high-mass spacecraft entering the thin Martian atmosphere will exceed the capabilities of supersonic and subsonic parachutes and will incorporate other means of deceleration. Propulsive deceleration is one technology that is being considered. The interaction of the spacecraft aerodynamics with the propulsion deceleration jets has been shown to cause a decrease in drag coefficient with increasing thrust coefficient, which is not desirable for deceleration. Planar laser-induced iodine fluorescence images for a single-propulsion deceleration jet showed a lifting of the vehicle bow shock away from the aeroshell. Flowfield calculations showed that this lifting provided a shielding effect, preventing the freestream mass and momentum flux from reaching the aeroshell surface, creating a low-pressure region between the jet boundary and the aeroshell. With four peripheral propulsive deceleration jets, planar laser-induced fluorescence images and computational fluid dynamics calculations showed that the vehicle bow shock is maintained between the jets as the thrust coefficient is increased. This bow shock is responsible for greater drag preservation with the peripheral jets. The calculations also showed that high pressure is maintained between the peripheral jets. These results suggest that using a few peripheral propulsion-deceleration jets located near the aeroshell shoulder would provide the greatest drag preservation when using propulsive deceleration.