Post-Flight Analysis of the Stardust Sample Return Capsule Earth Entry

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of post-flight activities for assessing the entry performance of the Stardust Sample Return Capsule and the analysis tools used to design it. Three sources of information are leveraged: the recovered return capsule thermal protection system, airborne observations of the entry using instruments that provide spectral resolution of the hot return capsule and shock layer gasses, and radar signature during the terminal descent stage. The paper describes the objectives of the post-flight analysis, the information sources, and the methods of analysis. Sample results from detailed analyses are presented.