Entry Systems Modeling

 Modeling & Simulation is critical path for EDL, in every mission phase - From initial trade studies, through DDT&E, operations and into post-flight - Ground testing alone cannot retire relevant risks  The Entry Systems Modeling Project (ESM) is the ONLY Agency project invested in EDL M&S development - Focus on real advancements to the current SoA that impact NASA missions - Topic areas driven by mission needs – Have an issue? Let’s talk! - Establish a “pipeline” to fundamental research via creative partnerships • Over 100 academics (students & faculty) involved each year via multiple funding mechanisms • Multiple international partnerships supported (DLR, JAXA, UQ, VKI, Ecole-Supalec, Oxford)

“For complex missions that cannot be fully tested on Earth, we rely on computer models to convince ourselves that the integrated system will work in its intended environment. We have no other way to do this. Detailed subsystem hardware and software testing help us validate that each of these models do a good job of representing reality.”

-- Rob Manning, Mars Program Chief Engineer Entry Systems Modeling Key Investment Areas – FY18-FY20

Predictive Materials Modeling Guidance, Navigation, and Control Advanced models for PICA and woven TPS; Micro- to Entry guidance methods to enable precision engineering-scale analysis tools; Detailed material landing of large robotic and human Mars missions characterization and model validation

Aerosciences Parachute dynamics; Free-flight CFD; Shock Layer Kinetics and Radiation Magnetic suspension wind tunnels; Radiation databases and models for all Experimental validation; Roughness, destinations of interest; High-fidelity Advanced computational methods analysis tools, coupled analysis

ESM is the only dedicated research effort for EDL modeling at NASA, impacting all mission directorates and exploration programs with EDL 2