Exploitation of the lift force during atmospheric reentry

Paper number

IAC-06-D2.P.1.08

Author

Prof. Rodolfo Monti, Italian National Research Council - CNR, Italy

Coauthor

Prof. Raffaele Savino, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Mario De Stefano Fumo, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy

Year

2006

Abstract

Blunt bodies and Shuttle-like reentry vehicles (reentering at high angle of attack) exploit mainly the drag forces to slow down; a recent proposal for a “low risk” reentry has identified a major role of the lift forces in the reentry of sharp and slender vehicles.
Long duration, large downrange and crossranges, small acceleration, heat fluxes localized at the leading edge and good manoeuvrability can be ensured by a proper utilization of lift forces; these features characterize the proposed “low risk” vehicle and seem to meet the requirements of “new” reentry missions like: 1) the Crew Return Vehicle from the ISS, especially when sick or injured crew member has to be brought to a medical facility within 24 hours; 2) the repositioning of an orbiting vehicle to any point of the globe within six hours (possible Military applications) and 3) Space Tourism vehicle that requires a comfortable and safe reentry. The above missions point out at a winged vehicle that is sharp and slender and that exhibits low wing loading and high L/D.
By extending the above concept also to vehicles reentering from planetary missions one can identify a way of aerocapturing the vehicle by properly modulating the lift force. In particular, for bodies reentering at super-orbital velocities, a negative lift (i.e. lift force pointing toward the center of the Earth) is necessary. Subsequently a positive lift force (pointing outward of the center of the Earth) can be used to properly manoeuvre the vehicle through the denser layers of the atmosphere.
The paper shows a number of reentry trajectories from LEO and hyperbolic orbits that limit the high heat fluxes at the leading edges and that meet the above requirements. Downranges and crossranges are also shown as function of the bank angle.

Abstract document

IAC-06-D2.P.1.08.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-D2.P.1.08.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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