CFD based Dynamic Analysis of Atmospheric Re-Entry Vehicles

Abstract

A Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis is undertaken to predict static- and dynamic-aerodynamic coefficients for re-entry vehicles. To determine the dynamic behavior of flying vehicles, here is presented a strategy based on the DLR CFD-TAU code with integrated flight mechanics equations in combination with a novel Chimera-Technique. The new Chimera strategy provides also a way to perform grid independent studies when using hybrid meshes. The present results demonstrate the potential of the technique as a major step to remove the classical illness of the force oscillation approach for the prediction of dynamic derivatives on re-entry vehicles.