Experimental Investigation of Fluid Impact on Landing Behaviour of Vertically Landing Vehicles

Kurzfassung

As reusability is gaining importance in space flight, launch vehicles are under development, where non�neglectable amounts of liquid propellant interact with the vehicle in the moment of touchdown. This paper proposes the experimental investigation of fluid-vehicle interaction upon touchdown of vertically landing space vehicles. Here, the test setup and execution of a landing test campaign with a fully functional touchdown demonstrator, containing a liquid filled tank are presented. Test data are presented briefly and repeatable test conditions and thus, repeatable landing conditions are proven.