DLR Arc Heated Facility LBK as a Tool for Experimental Investigation on Local Aerothermodynamic Problems of Re-entry Vehicles

Abstract

DLR arc heated facility LBK with the two test legs L2K (1 MW) and L3K (6 MW) has been improved and modernised, in order to meet the requirements of the customers and scientific objectives of DLR. Both test facilities have been used for the characterisation and qualification of thermal protection systems (TPS) of re-entry vehicles, qualification of flight sensors and experimental investigations on local aerothermodynamic phenomena during the re-entry phase of space vehicles. In this paper first the facility and its instrumentation followed by the performance of both facilities with respect to their reservoir conditions and model surface are described. In third part of the paper the characterisation of the hypersonic flow field by using experimental and numerical tools is presented. Finally different testing activities in LBK related to the development of the X-38 vehicle components in the frame of the German TETRA-Programme are presented.