Possibilities of Simplified Numerical Modeling of the Stardust Sample Descent Capsule Flight

Abstract The flight of the Stardust descent capsule is examined. The possibility of simplified calculation of the capsule flow is studied using the perfect gas model when varying the specific heat ratio in the NERAT-2D software. This assumption makes it possible to quickly obtain the accurate flow pattern over a certain altitude range, but often it underestimates the heat flux to the capsule surface.