Simulation of Drogue Parachute for the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Abstract

Simulations of a 10% scale Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and its drogue parachute were carried out using US3D, a finite-volume computational fluid dynamics code, with capsule angles of attack at 0, 30 and 50 degrees. A model for the geometric porosity of the parachute is incorporated which locally varies the mass flux through the surface based on the instantaneous flowfield. These simulations were then compared to wind tunnel tests, including mean drag measurements and particle image velocimetry data. It was found that the simulations matched the wind tunnel drag within 4% for α = 0 and 30 • with the maximum drag deficit due to the capsule being 13.4% at α = 0 • . Pressure data from the simulations was used to deform a structural model of the parachute to the correct inflated shape, as a precursor to future fluid structural interaction work.