2c. Entry Systems_Race.pdf

This presentation details Arc Jet Testing capabilities at NASA Ames Research Center's Thermo-Physics Facilities Branch (TSF). The mission is to maintain operational readiness of NASA entry systems, test facilities, and support commercial and international partners with thermal protection system testing while delivering high-quality data. The facility provides arc jet testing to simulate atmospheric entry conditions for spacecraft, using advanced technologies like the 60 MW Interaction Heating Facility (IHF) and 200 kW Laser Enhanced Arc Jet Facility (LEAF).

The presentation highlights NASA Ames' comprehensive testing capabilities across multiple space missions from 1960 to 2020, including Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Mars missions, and commercial crew programs. The testing process involves pre-test consultation, precise test execution, and post-test data analysis. Customers include NASA missions, researchers, Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, US Department of Defense, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and foreign partners. The arc jets are unique in their ability to independently or simultaneously supply convective and radiative high-enthalpy heating to thermal protection system (TPS) materials, verifying their survival during atmospheric entry.