High-Speed Photography In The Aeroballistic Range And Track Facilities Of The Von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility

Abstract

A wide selection of instrumentation is used to provide photographic coverage of hypervelocity test models during flight in the aeroballistic range and track facilities of the von Karin.n Gas Dynamics Facility (VKF). Ultra high-speed framing camera techniques and front-light laser photographic systems are used to study interactions of in-flight test models and their flow fields with various erosive (dust, rain, snow, etc. ) environments. Front-light and back-light photographic systems employing xenon flash lamps as light sources are used for detailed characterization of the erosive fields. Photographic pyrometry systems featuring high-speed image intensifier devices provide measurements of surface temperatures of in-flight test models. Visible-light and x-ray shadowgraphs provide information describing the structural integrity of in-flight models and together with digital timing data comprise very accurate systems for measuring model velocity and aerodynamic coefficients. Finally, highly versatile schlieren systems provide photographic recording of detailed flow field information in black and white or in color. These high-speed photographic techniques are described briefly and several photographic examples are presented.