Capsule aerodynamics with real gas effects from free-molecular to near-continuum regimes

Reentry capsule aerodynamics within a wide range of angles of attack and flight altitudes is examined by the DSMC method. The local bridging method is verified by the comparison with the DSMC results. Capsule stability is analyzed for flight altitudes from 130 km down to 85 km. Comparison with free-flight, data shows a good agreement of the DSMC and freeflight data. A qualitative change of heat transfer coefficient behaviour for different angles of attack during the decent is revealed. The influence of chemical reactions on the aerodynamics and flowfields is studied. For a simulation of flow about a capsule in the near-continuum regime, a parallel version of the DSMC code with distinct load balancing techniques was used.