Computational fluid dynamic studies of a solid and ribbon 12-gore parachute canopy in subsonic and supersonic flow

Abstract

Computational fluid dynamic studies of 3-D, fixed geometry, gore-shaped parachute canopies are presented. Both solid and ribbon canopies with a 10% vent diameter are investigated. The flowfields analyzed are laminar and compressible, broaching both the subsonic and supersonic regimes. Results presented include characterization of the local and global flowfields and the internal and external canopy surface pressure distributions. The canopy surface pressure distributions may be utilized in subsequent structural analyses to assess the integrity of the parachute canopy fabric components.