Challenges for high-enthalpy gasdynamics research during the 1990's: Plans for the GALCIT T5 Laboratory

Abstract

Together with Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell Corporation, Caltech has taken an initiative to build a free-piston-driven shock tunnel (known as T5) at its Graduate Aeronautical Laboratories (GALCIT). The facility will provide the means for high enthalpy gas dynamics research and testing, and will cost approximately $3.5M. T5 is expected to be completed in October 1990 and will initially be used by Rocketdyne for tests relating to the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) engine and for fundamental research by GALCIT faculty and graduate students. This report outlines the motivation for high enthalpy gas dynamics research and the rationale leading to the free-piston driver technique in relation to other flow simulation techniques and to flight tests. It discusses selected important technical and scientific problems demanding fundamental research. The philosophy of the approach to this research, involving the application of modern diagnostic techniques and close coupling with computational fluid dynamics, as well as direct interaction with the aerospace industry, is outlined. Finally, the current status of the T5 laboratory and its team are briefly described and the financial needs for additional diagnostics and running costs of the research effort are estimated. This very substantial investment on the part of Rocketdyne and Caltech represents a step that will give the US its first ground facility to produce high density flow at earth orbital enthalpy.