Numerical simulation of non-equilibrium ionized air flow around a re-entry capsule

Three-dimensional Navier–Stokes computation of non-equilibrium ionized airflow around the RAM-C II capsule is performed for different flight altitudes. The numerical simulation is performed using one-temperature and multi-temperature approximations. Numerical results show non-symmetrical behavior of macroparameters on windward and leeward sides. Both approximations provide a good agreement between computed peaks of electron densities around the capsule and in-flight data.