Project Title:

Aerothermodynamic Radiation Studies

02.06-9030
Aerothermodynamic Radiation Studies
Physical Sciences Inc.
Research Park
PO Box 3100
Andover, MA 01810
George E. Caledonia  (617-475-9030)
JSC -- NAS9-17949

Abstract:

	 The ability to predict accurately radiative heat transfer from the non-equilibrium
bow shock of vehicles operating at hypersonic velocities and elevated altitudes is
critical to the design of large NASA vehicles such as the Aero-Assisted Orbital Transfer
Vehicle. The extant data base is insufficient to validate models used for this purpose.
	In the Phase I effort, this project demonstrated that an optical, multi-channel
analyzer can be used to measure accurately the temporal and spectral behavior of
non-equilibrium, shock-heated air and that data can be analyzed to deduce temporally
excited state population histories even in the presence of overlapping band systems.
An innovative technique was also developed for the measurement of N2(X) vibrational
relaxation behind a shock front. The Phase I effort has demonstrated that the integration
of modern measurement techniques with a modern shock tube experiment can provide
the necessary data for improving the predictive capabilities of computer-based radiation
models used to design advanced re-entry vehicles.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Application: Applications of this facility would be in the study
of chemical kinetics and radiative phenomena in high-temperature gases and molecular
systems not readily studied by existing techniques.