NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Collections About News Help Login
Back to Results
Modeling and Simulation of the Second-Generation Orion Crew Module Air Bag Landing SystemAir bags were evaluated as the landing attenuation system for earth landing of the Orion Crew Module (CM). Analysis conducted to date shows that airbags are capable of providing a graceful landing of the CM in nominal and off-nominal conditions such as parachute failure, high horizontal winds, and unfavorable vehicle/ground angle combinations, while meeting crew and vehicle safety requirements. The analyses and associated testing presented here surround a second generation of the airbag design developed by ILC Dover, building off of relevant first-generation design, analysis, and testing efforts. In order to fully evaluate the second generation air bag design and correlate the dynamic simulations, a series of drop tests were carried out at NASA Langley s Landing and Impact Research (LandIR) facility in Hampton, Virginia. The tests consisted of a full-scale set of air bags attached to a full-scale test article representing the Orion Crew Module. The techniques used to collect experimental data, develop the simulations, and make comparisons to experimental data are discussed.
Document ID
20090034168
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Timmers, Richard B. (ILC Dover Frederica, DE, United States)
Hardy, Robin C. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Willey, Cliff E. (ILC Dover Frederica, DE, United States)
Welch, Joseph V. (ILC Dover Frederica, DE, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
September 14, 2009
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
LF99-9199
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA Space 2009 Conference and Exposition
Location: Pasadena, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: September 14, 2009
End Date: September 17, 2009
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

Related Records

There are no records associated with this record.
No Preview Available