Aerodynamic Analysis and Database Development of a Deployable Heatshield Reentry Vehicle

The Carryall Block 1 reentry vehicle being developed by Outpost Space utilizes a strut supported semi-rigid deployable heatshield. The advantages of a deployable heatshield include reduced head loading and earlier deceleration in the trajectory. Deployable heat shield geometries also come with difficulties in analysis including complex wake features, near rarified flow conditions at primary points of interest in the trajectory, and strong shocks. The Carryall Block 1 is analyzed using NASA’s FUN3D and DPLR CFD solvers. The aerodynamic results are found to be within a percent for both solvers and both structured and unstructured mesh types. The aerodynamic database is then developed for the reentry trajectory. Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) analysis is currently a work in progress and will be expanded on in the future.