Optimization of entry-vehicle shapes during conceptual design

Abstract During the conceptual design of a re-entry vehicle, the vehicle shape and geometry can be varied and its impact on performance can be evaluated. In this study, the shape optimization of two classes of vehicles has been studied: a capsule and a winged vehicle. Their aerodynamic characteristics were analyzed using local-inclination methods, automatically selected per vehicle segment. Entry trajectories down to Mach 3 were calculated assuming trimmed conditions. For the winged vehicle, which has both a body flap and elevons, a guidance algorithm to track a reference heat-rate was used. Multi-objective particle swarm optimization was used to optimize the shape using objectives related to mass, volume and range. The optimizations show a large variation in vehicle performance over the explored parameter space. Areas of very strong non-linearity are observed in the direct neighborhood of the two-dimensional Pareto fronts. This indicates the need for robust exploration of the influence of vehicle shapes on system performance during engineering trade-offs, which are performed during conceptual design. A number of important aspects of the influence of vehicle behavior on the Pareto fronts are observed and discussed. There is a nearly complete convergence to narrow-wing solutions for the winged vehicle. Also, it is found that imposing pitch-stability for the winged vehicle at all angles of attack results in vehicle shapes which require upward control surface deflections during the majority of the entry.

[1]  J. Anderson,et al.  Hypersonic and High-Temperature Gas Dynamics , 2019 .

[2]  M Reyes Sierra,et al.  Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimizers: A Survey of the State-of-the-Art , 2006 .

[3]  E. V. Zoby,et al.  Effects of Corner Radius on Stagnation-point Velocity Gradients on Blunt Axisymmetric Bodies , 1966 .

[4]  R. S. Crowder,et al.  Apollo entry aerodynamics. , 1969 .

[5]  Ryan P. Starkey,et al.  Aerothermodynamic Optimization of Reentry Heat Shield Shapes for a Crew Exploration Vehicle , 2007 .

[6]  Erwin Mooij,et al.  Continuous Aerodynamic Modelling of Entry Shapes , 2011 .

[7]  E. Bonner,et al.  Aerodynamic preliminary analysis system. Part 1: Theory. [linearized potential theory , 1978 .

[8]  W. D. Goodrich,et al.  The aerothermodynamic environment of the Apollo command module during superorbital entry , 1972 .

[9]  Peter Shirley,et al.  Fundamentals of computer graphics , 2018 .

[10]  Sabrina Corpino,et al.  Robust Multi-Disciplinary Optimization of Unmanned Entry Capsules , 2012 .

[11]  Ernst Heinrich Hirschel,et al.  Selected Aerothermodynamic Design Problems of Hypersonic Flight Vehicles , 2009 .

[12]  David J. Kinney.  Aerodynamic Shape Optimization of Hypersonic Vehicles , 2006 .

[13]  Mark D. Maughmer,et al.  Prediction of forces and moments for flight vehicle control effectors. Part 1: Validation of methods for predicting hypersonic vehicle controls forces and moments , 1990 .

[14]  Mark J. Lewis,et al.  Aerogravity Assist Maneuvers: Coupled Trajectory and Vehicle Shape Optimization , 2007 .

[15]  E. Mooij.  Distributed Global Trajectory Optimization of a Moderate Lift-to-Drag Re-entry Vehicle , 2009 .

[16]  Francesco Castellini,et al.  Comparative Analysis of Global Techniques for Performance and Design Optimization of Launchers , 2012 .

[17]  J. G. Marvin,et al.  Convective heating in regions of large favorable pressure gradient. , 1967 .

[18]  C. Frederick Hansen,et al.  Approximations for the thermodynamic and transport properties of high-temperature air , 1958 .

[19]  Guido Ridolfi.  Space systems conceptual design: Analysis methods for engineering-team support , 2013 .

[20]  Brian Berkowitz,et al.  Hypersonic Aerospace Sizing Analysis for the Preliminary Design of Aerospace Vehicles , 1990 .

[21]  E Booner,et al.  Aerodynamic Preliminary Analysis System II: Part I---Theroy , 1991 .

[22]  F. White.  Viscous Fluid Flow , 1974 .

[23]  David J. Kinney,et al.  Aero -Thermodynamics for Conceptual Design , 2004 .

[24]  Dean R Chapman,et al.  An approximate analytical method for studying entry into planetary atmospheres , 1958 .

[25]  Holden,et al.  Experimental Studies of the Aerothermal Characteristics of the Project Orion CEV heat Shield in High Speed Transitional and Turbulent Flows , 2009 .

[26]  Erwin Mooij,et al.  Aerospace-plane flight dynamics: analysis of guidance and control concepts , 1998 .

[27]  N. Vinh,et al.  Hypersonic and Planetary Entry Flight Mechanics , 1980 .

[28]  Robert D. Braun,et al.  Multi-Objective Hypersonic Entry Aeroshell Shape Optimization , 2009 .

[29]  Gerald Farin,et al.  Curves and surfaces for computer aided geometric design , 1990 .

[30]  R. Braun,et al.  Rapid Simultaneous Hypersonic Aerodynamic and Trajectory Optimization Using Variational Methods , 2011 .

[31]  Gene P. Menees,et al.  Aerothermodynamics of transatmospheric vehicles , 1986 .