Computational Analysis of Re-entry Space Vehicle at Supersonic and Hypersonic Speed

Re-entry vehicle is the movement of an object from outer space into and through the atmosphere of a planet. The re-entry vehicles are especially design to withstand extreme heat and aerodynamic forces. In this chapter, the effect of flight altitude on the aerodynamic characteristics of re-entry vehicle is presented. The study demonstrates the importance of understanding the effect of shock wave and illustrates how small change in flight altitude can alter the resulting aerodynamic forces on the re-entry vehicle. Here, the problem of selecting the shape of windward side of the re-entry vehicle is addressed by analysing the flow behaviour over two-dimensional blunt and sharp body. Blunt body are more preferable than sharp body that is decided based on the variation of pressure, velocity and temperature. The flow behaviour over three-dimensional body such as the Dragon and Apollo capsules at supersonic and hypersonic speed is analysed.