CFD Modelling of Re-entry Flows including Gas Radiation

Kurzfassung

Space exploration missions may include atmospheric entries at high velocities (e.g. sample-return, hyperbolic entries) or into an atmosphere with highly radiative constituents (e.g. Jupiter, Titan). The energy transport by gas radiation can become significant at such flow conditions and requires adequate modelling. This paper describes results of a CFD study of the FIRE II and Huygens fore-body flow at peak heating conditions including radiation effects employing a loose coupling strategy between the flow and radiation solvers.