Orion Aerosciences: Aerothermal Database Development

Speaker: Ryan McDaniel, Aerothermodynamics Branch, NASA Ames Research Center
April 7, 2022

Presentation

Abstract

The design of the Orion spacecraft’s thermal protection system (TPS) is based largely on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses. The aerothermal environments on the smooth outer mold line geometry were predicted with a database that was anchored with hundreds of high-fidelity solutions for convective and radiative heating. In order to account for geometric deviations from the smooth OML, heating augmentation models were developed for locations such heatshield fences/gaps, the vehicle shoulder, and reaction control system (RCS) plumes. The majority of these models are based on CFD, although ground and flight test data were used where available. The computational tools, analysis methods, and key data products used to develop Orion’s aerothermal database will be presented.

Funded by NASA’s Orion Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle

Biography

Ryan McDaniel is an aerospace engineer in the Aerothermodynamics Branch at NASA Ames Research Center where he has worked since 2000. He primarily performs computational aerothermal analyses of atmospheric entry vehicles in support of thermal protection system (TPS) designs for spacecraft. He is currently the Ames Lead for the Orion aerothermal database development work performed at the center.

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