Abstract
Aerodynamics of the MUSES-C type reentry capsule has been studied in the rarefied flight environment, from the free-molecular to the transition regime, using the DASH reentry trajectory as an example. The three-dimensional rarefied flow around the reentry capsule is computed by the DSMC method, in which the nonequilibrium thermal and chemical kinetics are taken into consideration, and the aerodynamic coefficients are finally obtained. The results show excellent agreement with those determined by the empirical formula in the rarefied flight regime. Finally, the dynamic stability of the DASH capsule is assured in the rarefied flight regime.
