Ablation response testing of simulated radioisotope power supplies
- Johns Hopkins Univ, Laurel, MD (United States)
Results of an experimental program to assess the aerothermal ablation response of simulated radioisotope power supplies are presented. Full-scale general purpose heat source, graphite impact shell, and lightweight radioisotope heater unit test articles are all tested without nuclear fuel in simulated reentry environments. Convective stagnation heating, stagnation pressure, stagnation surface temperature, surface recession profile, and weight loss measurements are obtained for diffusion-limited and sublimation ablation conditions. The recession profile and weight loss measurements show an effect of surface features on the stagnation face. The surface features alter the local heating which in turn affects the local ablation.
- OSTI ID:
- 45890
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 31, Issue 3; Other Information: PBD: May 1994
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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