Flight Question Re-entry using Orion MPCV

[Astro SG Wise]

I have attempted to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere before. I am a huge fan of the Orion MPCV, and I have francisdrake's newest addon for it. As I come through the atmosphere, I have the vehicle autopilot set to retrograde. Is this the correct way to re-enter? I have always thought that the capsule had to be angled slightly more horizontal, and every time I try it that way, the capsule turns to the right. Every time I try to enter with the AMSO Apollo CM, it blows up. Any guidance, or exact angles to use?

 

[Urwumpe]

There are no exact angles, just a guidance scheme that works. You need to remember that the capsule produces lift and drag. The turn to the right is the result of your retrograde attitude ... your lift vector points to the right.

For a good reentry start with lift upwards. When your vertical speed reaches zero, you can start piloting: modulate your lift vector in any direction by banking. If your deceleration is too high fly upwards a bit or keep altitude constant. Don't fly too high - what goes up might come down and if you come down again, it might be steeper than you can control. better attempt a shallow controlled glide by keeping the deceleration constant. If you loose too much speed at high altitude you will stall in the thin air and again dive too steep to control... again a reason for "riding the red line"

 

[francisdrake]

The CM's mass is off-center. The correct re-entry attitude is heads down.
When coming in on a retrograde attitude, deactivate the built-in autopilot and manually roll the capsule to heads-down.

Then deactivate the killrot, let the CM assume a natural attitude in the airflow. It will angle up 10-20°, providing some lift to flatten the reentry tracjectory.

To my knowledge the heads-down attitude is used since the 1960's. This way the windows are in the 'deadwater' behind the capsule, least exposed to reentry heat. And the crew has a view on the horizon overhead, giving them a visual indication on their situation and movements.