A Galerkin-free model reduction approach for fluid-structure interaction (FSI) is presented in this article. The reduced order model (ROM) is based on proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), where a reduced basis is formed using energy dominant POD modes. The reduced basis also consists of characteristics POD time modes that are derived from the POD time modes (coefficients) by using their periodicity. In addition to flow variables, the solution state vector comprises the mesh deformation, taking into account the structural deformation in FSI. A ROM solution is obtained by performing a linear interpolation of the reduced basis for changing operating/control parameters. The proposed Galerkin-free POD-ROM approach is demonstrated in terms of t...