A study on aerodynamic heating at Jovian atmospheric aerocapture. I

The numerical simulations of drag and aerodynamic heating to the spacecraft during Jovian aerocapture have been conducted. DSMC method is used for the simulations of flow fields around the spacecraft. The transient changes of drag due to Jovian atmosphere and total heat loads to the spacecraft are obtained. The results show the estimated heat loads could be within allowable heat load when proper ablation heat shield technique is applied. Also, the results shows Jovian aerocapture could save total mass of spacecraft or could increase payload of spacecraft compared with retro-rocket blowing for space flight to Jupiter.