A new arc heater shroud test technique for thermo-structural testing of full-scale, nose-tip skirt materials

An arc heater shroud test technique was developed for thermostructural testing of full-scale, missile nose tip-skirt assemblies. Reentry trajectory simulation is provided by changing the arc heater operation in a prescribed manner through manual and automatic controls. Excellent test repeatability allows screening of materials by direct comparison of test results. Continuous recordings of model surface temperature, pressure, heat flux, and model internal temperatures are made at several locations during the test.