Project Title:

Evaluation of Plume Impingement Effects

92-1-09.20-0003                                                   NAS08-39810
Evaluation of Plume Impingement Effects
Physical Sciences, Inc.
20 New England Business Center
Andover, MA  01810
George E. Caledonia                                  (508-689-0003)

Abstract:

     Spacecraft thrusters and vents send gas streams of various
species onto spacecraft surfaces and can either directly or
indirectly cause localized heating and contamination. This project
will build a test facility that uses a laser breakdown technique
to produce supersonic and hypersonic beams of species combinations
which simulate anticipated exhaust species. This device will also
evaluate surface interactions between exhaust species and
spacecraft materials. These beams could be composed of individual
species or full exhaust simulations so that individual and
collective effects on surfaces can be evaluated. A range of
velocities between 2 to 5 km/s should be achievable for molecular
species of interest. Phase I will construct and characterize two
beam sources for several gases (CO, H2, and N2H4/NH3) and
demonstrate a heating measurement on one surface. Phase II will
evaluate how plume and vent species interact with specific
spacecraft surfaces, and will provide NASA with a quantitative
data base for the design and analysis of future space vehicles.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  The device would have general
use in the aerospace community as a test facility to evaluate
materials for space applications. There is also some potential for
applying this technology to harden and/or modify materials.

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