Investigation of Thermodynamic Non-Equilibrium in Hypersonic Flows Over the Mars Pathfinder Capsule

Author(s)

Moreira, Farney Coutinho ; Wolf, William Roberto ; Azevedo, Joao Luiz F.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: AIAA SCITECH 2021 FORUM; v. N/A, p. 16-pg., 2021-01-01.

Abstract

Numerical simulations of a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen are presented for the Mars Pathfinder experimental capsule under hypersonic conditions. The finite volume method is used to solve the Navier-Stokes equations including Park's two-temperature model for chemical dissociation. Results are presented in terms of heat flux distribution over the capsule surface and good agreement is observed between simulations and experimental data. The shock wave topology and species dissociation profiles lead to changes with respect to thermal non-equilibrium, presented in terms of the translational-rotational and vibrational-electronic temperature modes. An assessment of the chemical species model shows that the dissociation of the nitrogen molecule in the carbon dioxide mixture does not occur for the present flow configuration. In this case, the flow temperature conditions are not sufficient to induce chemical reactions of the N-2 molecule. Therefore, the inclusion of molecular nitrogen in the atmospheric gas composition does not cause major variations in the process of thermal non-equilibrium and in the surface heat flux. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/08293-7 - CCES - Center for Computational Engineering and Sciences
• Grantee: Munir Salomao Skaf
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 13/07375-0 - CeMEAI - Center for Mathematical Sciences Applied to Industry
• Grantee: Francisco Louzada Neto
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC