CFD Analysis of Mars Phoenix Capsules at Mach Number 10

Abstract

Numerical simulations are performed for flow over Phoenix entry vehicle at Mars at zero angle of Attack and Mach number 10. Flow field features like bow shock, shear layers, expansion fan and separation bubble will be captured using CFD commercial package FLUENT. The computed wall data of pressure and temperature will be compared with experimental results at Mars atmospheric conditions. This project deals with the study of flow over Phoenix entry vehicle at Mach number 10. The concept of atmospheric entry has applications in various fields. Vehicles that typically undergo this process include exo-orbital trajectories. In this project, the type of entry vehicle considered is entry capsule, which enters Mars atmosphere from an orbit. The primary design consideration of entry capsule requires large spherical nose radius of their fore body that gives high aerodynamic drag and a short body length for reducing the total structural weight and the ballistic coefficient.