Computational Analysis of Flight Data on Convective Heating of the Martian Descent Vehicle within the Framework of the Perfect Gas Model

The spatial problem of supersonic flow past the MSL descent space vehicle in the dense layers of the Martian atmosphere is solved using the perfect gas model. The system of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations is numerically integrated together with the Baldwin-Lomax algebraic turbulent mixing model. In addition to studying the flow field patterns in the vicinity of the descent vehicle for real trajectory conditions, the calculated data on convective heating of the surface on the windward and leeward sides are analyzed. Change in the heating conditions during laminar-turbulent transition near the surface is taken into account. A comparison with flight data is presented.