Simulation of the AFE mission heating in an arc-jet wind tunnelA technique is presented for simulating a time-varying heating profile in an arc-jet wind tunnel and its application to the testing of a sapphire radiometer window assembly for the Aeroassist Flight Experiment (AFE). The AFE is an experimental mission designed to obtain as much data as possible relative to the aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic phenomena associated with aeroassisted maneuvering. The developed test procedure ensures satisfactory simulation by avoiding the thermal gradients of a step-function heat exposure by matching the heating/time values and by matching the integrated heat load. Furthermore, this is accomplished in a plasma stream in which enthalpy and pressure ensure a close approximation to the real flight environment.
Document ID
19910035062
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Terrazas-Salinas, Imelda (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field; Eloret Institute, Sunnyvale, CA, United States)
Craig, Roger A. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)