Test Engineering for Arc Jet Testing of Thermal Protection Systems: Design, Analysis, and Validation Methodologies

摘要: *† ‡ An integrated process of defining objectives and conducting arc jet tests in support thermal protection systems (TPS) development at NASA Ames Research Center has been developed. Computational simulations the nonequilibrium flows, validated by detailed measurements flow field parameters using a variety laser-spectroscopic conventional techniques, can be used to characterize test conditions with high fidelity. Using simulations, programs designed for range facility that correlate critical aspects targeted flight expected aerothermal, thermochemical, or thermostructural response mechanisms TPS material subsystem. Basic research initiatives have supported these simulation capabilities enhance our efforts meeting program-level requirements missions. Examples mission-specific will described context testing methodology.