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ty provides ground test simulations for both solid-propellant rocket motors over a wide range of simulated pressure
AEDC Fact Sheets

support materials and structural development efforts by the Department of Defense and commercial aerospace 7V Space Chamber
10V Sensor Chamber
12V Space Chamber
nique test capabilities for testing rocket propulsion systems with high performance/high area-ratio nozzles, and those Advanced Missile Signature C
ude start and restart, stage separation and spin testing. AEDC
Aeropropulsion Systems Test
Aircraft Impact on AEDC
es are the largest of their kind in the world and provide the only altitude test capability for medium to large and rocket
Camp Forrest
ystems in the United States. Economic Impact
Engine Test Facility
gine test facility exhaust plant, combined with the unique close coupled annular steam ejector, provides optimal High-Enthalpy Arc-Heated Fac
ssure transients that occur during engine ignition and shutdown. This unique configuration provides an optimum test Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9
safely test rocket propulsion systems utilizing fragile, high performance (high area-ratio) nozzles. J-6 Large Rocket Motor Test F
Mark 1 Test Facility
o the exhaust plant also allows for extended run times at simulated altitude conditions required for many propulsion National Full-Scale Aerodynam
d in orbital transfer operations. Complex
Propulsion Wind Tunnel Facili
a level) testing of rocket propulsion systems designed for high altitude operations can compromise engine Sea-Level Test Cells
data and potentially jeopardize the structural integrity of the nozzle by imposing severe loads from nozzle flow Von Karman Gas Dynamics Fa
Sea-level testing with truncated nozzles does not properly evaluate nozzle structural integrity. It also requires the test
justed to calculate full-nozzle and thrust vector control systems performance.

ng under simulated altitude conditions in J-6 include carefully-controlled test environments with extensive
on and photographic coverage to determine the operability and performance of a test article.

nclude an extensive array of sophisticated rocket diagnostic instruments obtainable only in a ground test
. State-of-the-art techniques such as wide-band infrared and ultraviolet radiometric coverage, emission/absorption
ser-induced fluorescence plume surveys, and real-time radiography are some of the applications frequently used.

simulated-altitude ground test and flight test approach can greatly mitigate program risk, reduced test program cost
greater understanding of true system performance.
ed to test large detonable solid-propellant rocket motors with up to 80,000 pounds. Measuring 26 feet in diameter by
the horizontally oriented test cell is capable of testing rocket motors at simulated pressure altitudes up to 100,000
mperature-conditioning system can maintain the test cell at an air temperature within the range of 15 to 110 degrees
± 5F) from motor installation until pre-fire pump down at altitude conditions.

long-duration altitude tests, of high-area-ratio nozzle performance including deployment operation with dynamic loads
stresses ignition performance tests, stage separation testing, heat transfer and posttest heat soaking tests and failure
pellant extinguished). The facility can be used to test many different types of motors with either large quantities or
xes of propellants.

equipped with three interchangeable rocket diffusers and can accommodate thrust ranges from 5,000 to 500,000
. The test cell is connected to a 250-feet diameter by 100-feet-high concrete dehumidification chamber that can also
vacuum chamber to support special tests associated with space vehicles and rocket plume studies.

ational need for testing large solid-propellant rocket motors at simulated altitudes. The J-6 design makes it ideal for
ny state-of-the-art diagnostic tools including acoustic sensing, real-time radiography, laser positioning systems,
ultraviolet imaging and high-speed video. The test cell digital data acquisition system is designed to acquire up to
ples per second.

ing operational in 1994, J-6 has been used for aging surveillance, change verification and qualification testing of
d III for both Minuteman and Peacekeeper weapon systems. Additionally, J-6 supports STAR 37 motor qualification
e Air Force's Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) constellation.

ange of test support services are available at AEDC in connection with the Rocket Test Facilities. Support services
el design, fabrication, and assembly, test article instrumentation, instrument calibration, and data analysis. Test articles
ded ready to test by the test user, or fabricated and instrumented at AEDC to user specifications.

nefits of Altitude Testing

flight vehivle
st
umentation
ervation
ble case/engine nozzle
gnition
mpulse
elity for durability
y Performance Objectives
-ratio nozzle behavior
hrust and impulse POINT OF CONTACT
sfer characteristics of both engine and
Arnold Engineering Development Center, Office of Public Affairs; 100 Kindel
regions
Drive, Suite B-213; Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., 37389-2213; DSN 340-
ctor control performance 4204, Commercial (931) 454-4204.
art transients
aracteristics
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