Re-entry Simulation and Demise Testing at DLR

Abstract

The Supersonic and Hypersonic Technologies Department of the German Aerospace Center DLR operates several blow down wind tunnel facilities ranging from transonic to hypersonic Mach numbers. Of these, the two legs L2K and L3K of the LBK facilities are arc heated. This allows high specific enthalpies in the test gas while simultaneously achieving supersonic flow conditions and high flow quality. This allows conducting aerothermodynamic simulations of atmospheric entry problems. Subsequently, these wind tunnels are used on a regular basis for the characterization of thermal protection system materials and demise simulations. This presentation focuses on the demise testing that has been carried out in the past and the currently running projects with their upcoming test campaigns. After a short presentation of the facilities, their capabilities and the available measurement techniques, the testing and results of the projects will be presented. The approaches for the test setups and procedures and their evolution will be discussed. Finally, the presentation will provide a summary of the current status of material demisability testing and the current challenges that need to be dealt with.