Imaging and Analysis Framework for Parachute Micro-structural Basis

The need for validated computational models is a key component in decreasing the risk, cost, and schedule of the Entry Descent Landing (EDL) phase and enable future scientific exploration missions. Large parachute systems used in planetary landing pose extraordinary design challenges related to inflation dynamics, multi-body dynamics, and capsule wake/parachute interactions during deployment and descent. Despite the recent advances in modeling and simulations of fluid-structure interaction (FSI) phenomena, parachute design continues to rely on extensive ground and flight testing. The robust datasets required to constitute a solid micro- structural basis and validate computational models remain lacking. Beyond FSI modeling, the parachute material selection and testing process largely relies on legacy systems and methods. Micro-structure-based models and greater understanding of the effect of architecture on performance allows for more rapid and effective selection of candidate weave architectures, mitigates the need for expensive ground flight testing, and enables tailored solutions to the mission requirements. Utilizing a previously developed image processing pipeline and micro-computed tomography (MCT) an experimental campaign consisting of in situ 2D cruciform style tensile tests and permeability bubble tests is proposed. The goal of these is four-fold. Analysis of textile microstructure under controlled bi-axial conditions, analysis of textile strain and permeability during pressure-driven loaded conditions, the ability to infer flow-induced behavior from microstructure and vice versa, and a deeper understanding of how both the initial design and manufacturing process for a textile impact the interconnected phenomena of micro-architecture and permeability. Two load histories will be used during tensile testing. These are a stepwise, load-to-failure style, and a cyclic load-relax-load style. The load-to-failure style of test allows the sample to achieve a steady in situ load before scanning, up to near-failure. Informing on the full breadth of possible material deformation. The load-relax-load style informs the material overall capacity of the material to return to a previous state depending on the severity of the last highest load. These tests are designed to cycle up to near the limits of expected in-flight stresses and then back down to near-zero. This is important in the context of the cyclic nature of parachute motion, especially during the first moments of deployment. Permeability bubble tests will consist of a circular sample of parachute textile clamped over the outlet of a pressurized air system and subjected to through-thickness flow. Measurement of the pressure differential, the flow rate, and imaging of the bubble produced from perpendicular axes is performed simultaneously with microscope imaging of the projected textile surface. Combined, these measurements create a complete picture of the sample mechanics. Pore imaging allows for direct measurement of the through- thickness pore ratio, while membrane theory is utilized to extract the principal strains and stresses from the bubble profiles. Both datasets can then be linked to those of the MCT via their total radial stress boundary conditions and principal warp/weft strains. With this connection, it is possible to infer micro-scale 3D architectural changes that cannot be measured directly with pore microscopy. Tests will consist of textile brought up to a maximum of 2000 Pa pressure differential and then back to zero. This covers the entire possible range of plausible in-flight conditions for bulk gore material estimated from Mars2020 data and previous NASA permeability experiments.

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