What is involved in planning the entry speed and chute deployment to slow the landing of the return capsule?
The challenges of Sample Return Capsule (SRC) entry involved solving problems involving its travel at both supersonic and subsonic speeds. Engineers worked hard to determine the best capsule shape for speed, stability and survivability. One challenge was to make certain the capsule continuously orients its heat shield toward the atmosphere, which is made possible by the aerodynamics of its design and location of the center of gravity. During testing, design changes were made that included increasing the rotation speed upon separation from the Stardust spacecraft, to increase the capsule’s stability. The size of the drogue chute was also increased beyond that already planned to better slow and direct the capsule during its descent.
