Aerothermodynamic and stability analyses of a deployable re-entry capsule

•System concept for deployable re-entry capsules.•Longitudinal stability assessment in free molecular, transitional and continuum floe regimes.•Aerothermodynamic analysis during atmospheric re-entry.•Comparison between CFD and DSMC calculations in transitional regime.

Recent research projects, in the field of atmospheric re-entry technology, are focused on the design of deployable, umbrella-like Thermal Protection Systems (TPSs). These TPSs are made of flexible high temperature resistant fabrics, folded at launch and deployed in space for de-orbit and re-entry operations. In the present paper two possible sphere–cone configurations for the TPS have been investigated from an aerodynamic point of view. The analyzed configurations are characterized by the same reentry mass and maximum diameter, but have different half-cone angles (45° and 60°). The analyses involve both the evaluation of thermal and aerodynamic loads and the assessment of the capsule longitudinal stability. The aerothermodynamic analysis has been performed for the completely deployed heat shield in transitional and continuum regimes, while the longitudinal stability has been analyzed in free molecular, transitional and continuum regimes, also taking into consideration the heat shield deployment sequence at high altitudes.