Past studies of plasma sheaths enveloping vehicles have shown that the distribution of plasma is time-varying and results in communication and navigation problems. This paper aims to investigate the dynamic characteristics of the plasma sheath through the simulation of a realistic 3-D Apollo command module geometry. The numerical methodology is based on the detached-eddy simulation (DES) model, and the thermochemical nonequilibrium effect is considered. The stable solution of the flow field is obtained firstly, in which a steady plasma sheath widely distributes among the shock wave layer. As the evolvement of vortex structures in the leeward regions of the vehicle, the dynamic property of plasma sheath appears. The analysis of wall parameters shows that the oscillation period of the electron density on leeward wall is same as the evolvement period of vortex structures. In addition, the time-varying electron density and pressure reveal similar variation trend with phase difference. The results indicate that the dynamic plasma sheath exit in the reentry vehicle flow field and the present numerical method can capture the dynamic characteristics. Nomenclature ρ = density, 3 / kg m t µ = eddy viscosity, / ( ) kg m s ⋅ l µ = kinematic viscosity, 2 / m s k = turbulence kinetic energy, 2 ( / ) m s ω = turbulence frequency, 1 s − γ = turbulence model constant or ratio of specific heats 1 a = turbulence model constant β * = turbulence model constant k σ = turbulence model constant w σ = turbulence model constant T = translational-rotational temperature, K v T = vibrational temperature, K e T = electron temperature, K Subscripts j = variable number
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