Landing Characteristics of a Reentry Capsule with a Torus-shaped Air Bag for Load Alleviation PDF Download

Author: John R. McGehee
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Space vehicles
Languages : en
Pages : 36

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Book Description
An experimental investigation has been made to determine the landing characteristics of a conical-shaped reentry capsule by using torus-shaped air bags for impact alleviation. An impact bag was attached below the large end of the capsule to absorb initial impact loads and a second bag was attached around the canister to absorb loads resulting from impact on the canister when the capsule overturned. A 1/6-scale dynamic model of the configuration was tested for nominal flight paths of 600 and 900 (vertical), a range of contact attitudes from -250 to 300, and a vertical contact velocity of 12.25 feet per second. Accelerations were measured along the X-axis (roll) and Z-axis (yaw) by accelerometers rigidly installed at the center of gravity of the model. Actual flight paths, contact attitudes, and motions were determined from high-speed motion pictures. Landings were made on concrete and on water.