Fast Running Re-Entry Vehicle Wake Signature Tools

The flight environment conditions encountered by re-entry vehicles (RVs) and RV associated spent boosters and flight hardware can produce complex wakes that are difficult to model.Under such high dynamic pressure and angle-of-attack (HDAOA) conditions, ablating heat shield material is entrained in the flow in the form of gases and particulates and reactive chemistry between atmospheric and ablating species creates a complex environment.These effects have a strong impact on the vehicle electro-optic/infrared and radar signatures, interfering with detection, tracking, targeting, and aim-point selection.Spectral Sciences, Inc. proposes to develop innovative fast running HDAOA wake signature modeling tools.In Phase I, candidate simulation methods were assessed and one selected to enable a practical and accurate simulation of the wake signature.The approach reproduced high-fidelity simulation results using a fraction of the computational time.The successful feasibility has resulted in a clear path for Phase II.The prototype software will be transitioned into a validated software library.Additional physical phenomena, including the contribution of heat shield particulates, will be integrated.The tool will be evaluated through comparison with high fidelity models and available measured data.Finally, a plan to integrate the software into MDAs simulation architecture will be developed.Approved for Public Release | 18-MDA-9522 (23 Feb 18)