Hypersonic Tunnel Facility
The Hypersonic Tunnel Facility (HTF) at NASA’s Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility (ATF) Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility (ATF) located in Sandusky, OH, originally designed to test nuclear thermal rocket nozzles, is a hypersonic (Mach 5, 6, and 7) blowdown, nonvitiated freejet facility that tests large-scale hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems.
Facility Overview
Designed to conduct research, development, and acceptance testing of hypersonic airbreathing propulsion systems, the Hypersonic Tunnel Facility (HTF) is a fully self-contained facility. Its experimental infrastructure includes a shop area for fabrication of materials for facility subsystems and assembly of customer hardware. Due to the high-energy nature of the facility, it is operated remotely from a control room approximately one-quarter mile from the actual facility.
The HTF is a blow-down, non-vitiated, free jet wind tunnel that is capable of simulating Mach 5, Mach 6, and Mach 7 true enthalpy conditions. The primary performance differentiator between the HTF and other hypersonic free jet facilities is its non-vitiated (clean) flow. Whereas traditional facilities of this type utilize a combustion process to generate high enthalpy conditions required to simulate hypersonic flows, the HTF generates these conditions by flowing nitrogen gas through a 3 MW graphite core storage heater. This heated nitrogen is then mixed with ambient temperature oxygen and ambient temperature nitrogen to yield a flow of synthetic (true composition) air at the requisite stagnation temperature. Three interchangeable nozzles are used to establish the facility Mach number condition of 5, 6, and 7. A nominal free jet test section ‘characteristic dimension’ is the nozzle exit diameter, 42 inches for the HTF.
However, the hypersonic core flow varies with Mach number. The test section length can be adjusted from 10 feet to 14 feet in length. Utilization of aeroappliances around test hardware is standard practice. A single stage steam ejector is used to exhaust the facility flow and provide altitude simulation.
The facility’s size and long run duration allow for full systems testing of large flight rated structures and propulsion systems. The facility is capable of supporting both hydrogen and hydrocarbon fueled propulsion systems. In addition to free jet testing, the use of the facility to support direct connect subsonic and supersonic combustion is currently being developed. This capability would allow for the testing of large scale combustors in a non-vitiated flow.
Quick Facts
| Name | Hypersonic Tunnel Facility |
|---|---|
| Mach Number | 5.0 – 7.0 |
| Test Section | 10 ft length available, expandable to 14 ft |
| Altitude | Up to 120,000 ft |
| Total Pressure | 1200 psig maximum |
| Total Temperature | 4500°R maximum |
- The HTF contains a large stand-alone experimental infrastructure that can be readily reconfigured to test a variety of ground test applications including high-energy, high-risk testing.
- In addition to free jet testing, the use of the facility to support direct connect subsonic and supersonic combustion is currently being developed.
- The HTF’s size and long run duration allow for full systems testing of large flight rated structures and propulsion systems.
- Originally designed to test nuclear thermal rocket nozzles as part of the Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA) program, the HTF was reconfigured as a hypersonic (Mach 5,6,7) blowdown, non-vitiated, free jet facility capable of testing large-scale hypersonic airbreathing propulsion systems.
Capabilities
Operational Features
- Blowdown, free-jet tunnel
- Utilizes nonvitiated air supply
- 3MW graphite storage heater
- Provides:
- True flight enthalpy test conditions
- Altitude simulation
- Air composition (Synthetic: GN2, GOx)
- Maximum Operating Conditions:
- 4500°R maximum total temperature (mixed)
- 1200 psig maximum total pressure
- 222 lbm/sec Total Flow
- Up to 120,000 ft altitude simulation
- 5 minute run time (depending on operating conditions)
- 42 in. exit diameter nozzle
- 14 ft test section length available that can be expanded to 14 ft to accommodate longer test articles
- 8500 lbf thrust balance – single axis
Propellant Systems
- Gaseous H2
- Liquid hydrocarbons (JP7, JP10, etc.)
- Silane
- Upgrade possible for LOx and LH2
- LH2 system in standby
Control Systems
- PLC system – sequences facility systems
- Test Matrix Sequencer – sets run parameters
| Nozzle | Mach 5 | Mach 6 | Mach 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| StagnationPressure, psia | 410.0
70.5 |
1200.0
144.0 |
1200.0
430.0 |
| StagnationTemperature, R | 2200
2420 |
2965
3310 |
3830
4500 |
| Mass Flow,lbs/sec | 189.0
30.9 |
222.0
25.4 |
104.0
36.2 |
| ThroatDiameter, in. | 7.2
7.2 |
4.9
4.9 |
3.2
3.2 |
| ExitDiameter, in. | 42.0
42.0 |
42.0
42.0 |
42.0
42.0 |
| Test Section | Mach 5 | Mach 6 | Mach 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static Pressure, psia |
0.74
0.118 |
0.61
0.071 |
0.33
0.071 |
| Static Temperature, R |
384
428 |
390
451 |
412
451 |
| Altitude, ft | 68,000
108,000 |
72,000
120,000 |
93,000
120,000 |
| Run Time, sec | 103a
294b |
42a
294b |
90a
180c |
a – Limited by maximum stagnation temperature change of 200»F
b – Limited by steam availability at 150 psig
c – Limited by mixture and diffuser temperature limits
Contact
Hypersonic Tunnel Facility (HTF)
Facility Manager: Hal Weaver
419-621-2219
Harold.F.Weaver@nasa.gov
Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility (ATF)
Deputy Director: David Taylor
419-621-2101
David.E.Taylor@nasa.gov
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