Author(s)

A. Esposito, R. Monti, G.P. Russo, R. Savino and F. Ferrigno

Abstract

The High Enthalpy Blow-Down Arc Facility (HEBDAF) at the Department of Space Sciences and Engineering "L.G. Napolitano" in Naples (DISIS), originally built for experimental and theoretical studies in the plasma diagnostic field, has been modified as an atmospheric reentry simulator, to simulate the heat fluxes experienced along the reentry path by a space vehicle. Upgrading of the facility was necessary to accomodate higher mass flow rates with the existing vacuum pumps. For this purpose a fixed throat diffuser with different L/D ratios has been studied to provide the highest pressure recovery. 1 Introduction Renewed interest in hypersonic aerodynamics, driven by the projects of trans- atmospheric vehicles (

Keywords