Focusing schlieren photography at the Holloman High Speed Test Track

Motion camera Focusing Schlieren photographs were obtained for test vehicles at the high speed test track at Holloman AFB. These photographs were used to examine the shock waves and turbulent flow generated by a variety of rocket driven sled vehicles at speeds from Mach 1.3 to Mach 5.5. Some of the images show non-uniform exposure, but the shock wave structures are still clearly seen. An improved light source setup is described which should improve the uniformity of the exposures.