THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TEN-MEGAWATT MULTIARC AND ITS OPERATIONAL USE IN HYPERSONIC REENTRY VEHICLE STUDIES,

Abstract : A description is presented of the development of the Avco 10-megawatt air arc and its application to several re-entry simulation techniques. Improvements in the performance of the multi-arc design including the use of magnetic field arc stabilization techniques are discussed. It is shown that the facility is ideally suited for laminar and turbulent re-entry ablation studies using both splash and pipe techniques. A discussion of the shrouded model technique and some applicable test results for a 6-inch diameter hemispherical models are presented. The Mach 5 hyperthermal wind tunnel which was used for aerodynamic and thermodynamic experimental work is discussed together with some of the test results for advanced re-entry vehicles. The future development program for the 10-megawatt arc facility is also described briefly. (Author)