Comparison of fluid-structure interaction simulations of the MSL parachute with wind tunnel tests

The detached eddy simulation (DES) methodology is used to examine the flow field associated with the supersonic disk-gap-band parachute system of the Mars Science Laboratory mission. Prior study using a rigid parachute model found that the time-varying momentum deficit in the capsule wake interacts with the bow shock on the canopy, producing a highly unsteady flow. Simulations including coupled fluid-structure interactions suggest that this unsteady flow triggers large scale movement of the parachute with durations much larger than the unsteadiness in the flow. In this study we further examine those motions and present comparison of our results against data provided from wind tunnel test at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Drag measurements from the simulations are found to match well with those from wind tunnel test both quantitative, and qualitatively.