Author Description

During descent after re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, the Orion CM deploys its drogue parachutes at approximately Mach 0.7. Accurately predicting the dynamic pressure experienced by the drogue parachutes at deployment is critical to properly designing the parachutes. This NASA Engineering and Safety Center assessment was designed to provide a complete set of flowfield measurements on and around an idealized Orion Crew Module shape with the most appropriate wind tunnel simulation of the Orion flight conditions prior to parachute deployment. This document contains the details of testing and the outcome of the assessment. Ross, James C. and Schuster, David M. Ames Research Center; Langley Research Center WIND TUNNEL TESTS; DRAG CHUTES; TOWED BODIES; SPACECRAFT MODULES; CREW EXPLORATION VEHICLE; VELOCITY MEASUREMENT; WAKES; PARACHUTES; FLIGHT CONDITIONS; SAFETY