JPL DESCANSO - Deep Space Communications and Navigation Center of Excellence

DESCANSO Seminars
Overview of Planetary Entry Aerodynamics

Presented by:
Dr. Leslie Yates and Dr. Gary Chapman
Aerospace Computing, Inc


Abstract

This seminar will provide an overview of planetary entry aerodynamics. Definitions of the static and dynamic aerodynamic terms will be given, and six-degree-of-freedom simulations will be used to demonstrate the impact of these terms (and uncertainties in these terms) on various properties of the entry trajectory, including landing footprint, maximum dynamic pressure, maximum heating, and oscillation amplitude behavior. Sources of aerodynamic information - theory, CFD, ground-based testing, and flight testing - will be reviewed and evaluated, and the status of available aerodynamic information will be evaluated for the various flight regimes: free molecular, transition, continuum hypersonic, supersonic, transonic, and subsonic.


The Speaker

Dr. Leslie Yates is vice president of Aerospace Computing, Inc. During the last 10 years, she has conducted extensive research in the aerodynamics of planetary entry vehicles. This research has focused on extracting static and dynamic aerodynamic forces from ballistic range, helicopter drop, and vertical wind tunnel tests. She is a recognized expert in image processing and aerodynamic parameter identification for ballistic ranges. She is the developer of the Comprehensive Aerodynamic Data Reduction System for Aeroballistic Ranges, CADRA, a system used by aeroballistic facilities in both Canada and the United States. She received her B.A. in Physics from New College, Sarasota, Florida, attended graduate school in Physics at SUNY, Stony Brook, New York, and received her Ph.D. in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Florida.

Dr. Gary Chapman received his B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and began his career at NASA/Ames Research Center in 1957. While at NASA, he earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University in 1963 and 70 respectively. He worked for NASA -ARC for 32 years, 1957 to 1989. He was Chief of the Aerodynamics Research Branch from 1974-78. On his retirement from NASA he was appointed as an Adjunct Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Dept. at the U of California, Berkeley. He has consulted for AerospaceComputing, Inc., Eloret, CALSPAN, and MicroCraft. He has conducted extensive research in aerodynamics and entry dynamics authoring over 90 papers. He is an expert in ballistic range testing. He served on the Air Force Scientific Board (1989-1993). He also served on the advisory group for Arnold Engineering and Development Center for three years and received the Air Force Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service. He has been a member of AIAA since 1957 and served on the Educational Activities Committee from 1978 to 1999 and was an Ad hoc Accreditation visitor for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. He received the AIAA Ground Based Testing Award in 1997 and was elected a Fellow of the AIAA in 2000.

An outline of the seminar is attached  pdf.

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