Validation of Finite Element Crash Test Dummy Models for the Prediction of Orion Crew Member Injuries during a Simulated Vehicle Landing

A series of dummy response during a simulated Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) module landing is conducted at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB). These tests consisted of several crew configurations with, and without astronaut suits. Finite element models of the tests are developed and presented herein. The finite element models are validated using the experimental data. Several outputs from the dummy are collected and presented here in. These outputs are compared with the outputs of the finite element model. Occupant crash data such as forces, moments and accelerations are collected from simulations and compared to the presented injury criteria to assess Occupant Survivability and Human Injury. Some of the injury criteria published in the literature are summarized herein for sake of completeness. These injury criteria are used to determine potential injury during such impact event.