Program WinPlaner

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is designed for flight dynamics analysis of complex mechanical systems with nonrigid links, including:

• payload - parachute systems (all types);
• hot-air balloons;
• dirigibles.

VIPLAN allows to simulate payload-parachute flight dynamics for the following phases:

• parachute extraction phase:
  
• dynamic loads during extraction (shock loads) determination;
• extraction parameters calculations (time of extraction, altitude loss during extraction, etc.);
• payload trajectory parameters and orientation during extraction;

• parachute inflation phase:
• inflation loads (including unreefing loads for multy stage reefing) determination;
• inflation parameters determination, including for example orientation of inflation loads relatively to payload, determination of possible contacts of parachute strop with payload sharp edges and so on;
• payload-parachute 12D system trajectory parameters and orientation simulations;

• flight phase:
• payload-parachute 12D system trajectory parameters and angular orientation simulations;
• any parachute types can be simulated including gliding parachutes with control system;

For systems with multiple parachutes (for example for systems with Auxiliary, Drogue and Main parachutes) VIPLAN allows to perform overall simulations from beginning of Auxiliary parachute extraction and up to payload landing. In this case the end of previous phase is automatically used as the beginning of the following phase. VIPLAN allows also to perform Monte-Carlo simulations which take into account probability distributions of payload and parachute parameters (mass, inertia, center, aerodynamic characteristics, harness elasticity, canopy geometry , etc.), atmosphere parameters and initial conditions.

Examples of VIPLAN analysis can be found in:

• A.Vishnyak, "Simulation of the payload-parachute-wing system flight dynamics", 12th RAeS/AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator System Technology Conference and Seminar. A collection of technical papers. London, England, 1993, pages 305-310,.(AIAA-93-1250).
  
  
• A.Vishnyak ,"Parachute Simulations for ARIANE-5 Booster Recovery System Design", 13th AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference. A collection of technical papers. Clearwater Beach, FL, 1995, pages 370-378, (AIAA-95-1593-CP).