Analysis Methodology Developed During the Orion Parachute System Airdrop Campaign

The general objective of any given Orion Capsule Parachute Assembly System (CPAS) airdrop test was to improve the understanding of system behavior and performance. In the analysis space, the objectives were to collect model development and validation data. As the program progressed, it was discovered that the collection of this data required distinct types of analysis efforts: test specific analysis and parachute system analysis. While these efforts were closely related and overlapped at times, the end goal of each drove unique considerations. Parachute system analysis focused on model development, data reduction, and performance reconstruction for CPAS components while test specific analysis focused on minimizing test risks while maximizing the likelihood of achieving test objectives. With every test being unique in some form, whether it be due to test article, setup, or specific objectives, analysts were frequently faced with novel questions and charged with defining bounds and determining optimal solutions. To overcome these challenges, the CPAS program established an analysis methodology for the execution of parachute airdrop testing. This methodology can be used to identify key items of interest, and find their solutions, within a test specific analysis effort for an Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems (ADS) test campaign.