Title:
Aeroelastic Design Considerations of a Clamped Ballute for Titan Aerocapture

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Author(s)
Rohrschneider, Reuben R.
Braun, Robert D.
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Abstract
The Ballute Aeroelastic Analysis Tool, an in-house tool that loosely couples aerodynamics with structural dynamics, is used to compute static deformed shapes and stresses of a clamped ballute along a Titan Aerocapture trajectory, and to determine if a clamped ballute flutters at the peak dynamic pressure point. Static solutions along a Titan aerocapture trajectory indicate that stress and displacement are correlated to dynamic pressure above 1 Pa. For lower dynamic pressures, the aerodynamic loading is insufficient to fully overcome initial material shape, indicating that spacecraft re-contact is possible, and leading to a recommendation to include supports for the torus. Dynamic analysis of the clamped ballute using a first-order engineering estimate of unsteady aerodynamics indicates that flutter will not be a problem at the peak dynamic pressure point on the trajectory.
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Date Issued
2007-04
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Text
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Paper
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Unless otherwise noted, all materials are protected under U.S. Copyright Law and all rights are reserved