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Completed TRL 6 (started at 6, targeting 8)
The objective of the test series is to acquire data relevant to atmospheric entry to Mars. The data will be used, via cooperative agreement, to develop, assess and validate engineering and CFD models employed by NASA for design and analysis of future Mars missions, and to assist the MEDLI team in their analysis of the flight data from the MSL entry.
Using NRA funds, a model will be fabricated replicating the 70-deg sphere-cone forebody shape of MSL. The model will be instrumented with an array of sensors to measure heat flux and pressure, a subset of which will replicate the sensor locations of the MEDLI suite on MSL. In addition, two radiometers will be installed in the stagnation region. One radiometer will be calibrated for measurements in the mid-infrared in order to capture CO2 radiation in this range. This provides overlap with testing in EAST as part of Task 4.2.1, as well as new model implementation in Task 4.2.4. The second radiometer will be calibrated for measurements in the vacuum ultraviolet in order to capture radiation of the CO 4th positive band. This also provides overlap with the above-mentioned Tasks.
The test matrix will be selected to cover the full range of enthalpies achievable in LENS-XX. To the extent possible, conditions will also be selected to cover the estimated trajectory of MSL.
Via collaborative agreement, NASA will provide pre and post flight CFD analysis, guidance on instrumentation placement and test matrix priorities, and will consult regularly with CUBRC staff before, during and after the runs.
A potential second source of high-enthalpy CO2 testing has been identified with the High Enthalpy Tunnel (HET) at University of Illinois. An exploratory test series will be conducted in FY14 to determine the usable operating envelope and whether future investments are warranted to expand capability.
Tunnel availability poses the largest schedule risk. The CUBRC facilities have numerous customers who compete for precedence should any disruption to the nominal schedule occur. Additional risk arises from the possibility of low-quality tunnel runs. If such events occur, it may not be possible to reschedule additional runs to cover the lost test time. Also, the LENS-XX facility is new to operation, and its performance has not been fully validated in CO2 (validation of the facility for CO2 is one of the objectives of the NRA). Finally, available instrumentation is limited. Should any instrumentation be lost due to freestream particles from the diaphragm rupture, it will not be possible to replace the instrumentation.
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