Integration of Arc-jet in Impulse Facility for Hypervelocity Aerothermal Testing with Ablation

Arc-jets and impulse facilities have been extensively used to investigate the flow physics of planetary re-entry, but they each address different aspects of re-entry flow-fields. This work presents a conceptual design of a dual-facility setup, utilising an arc-jet as a model preheating device in the impulse test facility. This novel preheating apparatus will replicate realistic ablation coupling effects in hypervelocity flows. This paper outlines the major challenges and key considerations for the system integration of arc-jet in the T6 Stalker Tunnel. A small-scale arc-jet facility, OPG1, is currently being developed at the University of Oxford to test the plasma generator, model movement system, and sub-components for the expansion tube testing. Analyses were performed to examine the thermal and structural loads on the model movement system exposed to both plasma and hypervelocity flow. The results showcased that the model movement system will effectively serve dual-facility operations.