Numerical and experimental study of the thermal degradation process during the atmospheric re-entry of a TiAl6V4 tank. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prévereaud, Y.; Vérant, J.-L.; Balat-Pichelin, M.; Moschetta, J.-M.
• Is Part Of: Acta astronautica. Volume 122(2016)
• Page Start: 258
• Page End: 286
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: AFE Aeroassist Flight Experiment -- ALE Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian -- ARD Atmospheric Re-entry Demonstrator -- ATD AeroThermoDynamic -- DAC DSMC Analysis Code -- CNES Centre National d׳Études Spatiales -- DAS Debris Assessment Software -- DRAMA Debris Risk Assessment and Mitigation Analysis -- DRAPS Debris Reentry and Ablation Prediction System -- DSC Differential Scanning Calorimetry -- DSMC Direct Simulation Monte-Carlo -- ESA European Space Agency -- FAST Fast Aerothermodynamic Solver for Trans-atmospheric vehicle -- GNC Guidance Navigation Control -- HEO Highly Elliptical Orbit -- HTG Hypersonic Technology Göttingen -- LEO Low Earth Orbit -- MUSIC MUlti SImulator in Combination -- NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration -- ONERA Office National d׳Étude et de Recherche Aérospatiale -- ORSAT Orbital Re-entry Survival Analysis Tool -- SAPAR Survival Analysis Program for Atmospheric Reentry -- SCARAB Spacecraft Atmospheric Re-entry and Aerothermal Break-up -- SRC Sample Return Capsule -- THIDES THermal Inverse DESign -- TPS Thermal Protection System -- VOF Volume of Fluid; Space debris -- Entry prediction -- Conduction -- Oxidation -- Ablation; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Outer space -- Exploration -- Periodicals; Astronautics; Periodicals; 629.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2016.02.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-5765

Abstract

Abstract: To answer the question of space debris survivability during atmospheric entry ONERA uses its software named MUSIC/FAST. So, the first part of this paper is dedicated to the presentation of the ONERA tool and its validation by comparison with flight data and CFD computations. However, the influence of oxidation on the thermal degradation process and material properties in atmospheric entry conditions is still unknown. A second step is then devoted to the presentation of an experimental campaign investigating TA6V oxidation in atmospheric entry conditions, as the most of the debris found on ground are made of this material. Experiments have been realized using the MESOX facility implemented at the 6 kW solar furnace in PROMES-CNRS laboratory. Finally, an application of MUSIC/FAST is proposed on the atmospheric re-entry of a generic TA6V tank. Aiming at degradation assessment, a sensitive study to initial conditions is conducted. To complete computational analysis regarding degradation process by melting, a numerical analysis of the influence of oxidation on the thermal wall degradation during the tank atmospheric re-entry is presented as well. Abstract : Highlights: Description of MUSIC/FAST tool for atmospheric re-entry of space debris simulation. Simulations of the atmospheric re-entry of a TA6V tank with MUSIC/FAST. Experimental investigation of TA6V oxidation in atmospheric re-entry conditions.