Accession Number:

ADA379795

Title:

A Study of Develop Optical Instrumentation for the AFFDL Rent Facility

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE FLIGHT DYNAMICS LAB WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH

Personal Author(s):

• Trolinger, J. D.
• Parobek, D. M.
• Stringer, A. G.

Report Date:

1978-02-01

Pagination or Media Count:

69.0

Abstract:

The RENT facility is a high-enthalpy reentry nosetip test facility which employs a 50 megawatt arc heater to produce a high energy supersonic free jet test flow. The objectives of such tests include the determination of materials response to simulated reentry conditions, heat transfer, erosion and ablation, and other aerodynamic effects. To attain the full utility of the facility requires both computation and measurement of the conditions and aerodynamic phenomena which occur during tests. The flow is in many respects too complex to allow accurate computation of all phenomena of interest. Therefore, measurements are needed to provide more accurate descriptions of many basic properties and phenomena. A number of optical measurement techniques have been attempted in the RENT facility with some degrees of success, and pro- grams to refine such methods have been active for several years. A study has begun recently to continue the development and application of optical diagnostic methods for this facility. The objective of this study is to examine candidate optical measurement techniques, to plan the development of such methods, and ultimately to apply developed techniques during actual test operations.

Descriptors:

• *OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS
• REENTRY VEHICLES
• BOUNDARY LAYER
• AERODYNAMIC FORCES
• NOSE TIPS
• SPARK SHADOWGRAPH PHOTOGRAPHY

Subject Categories:

• Optics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE