Abstract:

Focusing on the demands of design stage for Mars exploration mission, a whole design method integrating with entry trajectory and opening simulation is proposed. Firstly, the particle dynamics model is built to solve and simulate the flight trajectory of entry body. Then the fluid-structure interactions (FSI) model is built based on the arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian(ALE) method to numerically simulate the opening process of parachute in supersonic environment, and the influences of opening dynamics pressure and Mach number on inflation characteristics are analyzed. The 3D shape of canopy deformation during inflation is simulated, FSI behaviors of parachute are investigated, and the results of some typical inflation parameters like opening force and drag are obtained. The results show that this integrated numerical method can be applied to analyze the Mars entry, descent and landing (EDL) problems in mission design stage.

Key words: Mars exploration, Parachute, Inflation dynamics, Fluid structure interactions, Entry trajectory