CONDITION DEVELOPMENT AND COMMISSIONING OF THE OXFORD T6 STALKER TUNNEL IN REFLECTED SHOCK TUNNEL MODE - Dataset

To provide data for the design of re-entry vehicles and validation of computational models, ground testing facilities such as the Oxford T6 Stalker Tunnel are crucial. The current work focuses on the commissioning of the tunnel in reflected shock tunnel mode. For a given test condition, the fill pressures and temperatures in the reservoir, compression tube and shock tube are calculated to ensure a tailored condition and tuned piston motion. A 90kg Steel piston has been refurbished for this mode of operation to maximise testing time. In order to verify the loss factors used in the numerical modelling of the tunnel with the refurbished piston, blank-off tests were undertaken and the losses taken into account to adjust the fill conditions accordingly. Shock tube tests were undertaken to determine the necessary score depth of the diaphragms to achieve the required rupture pressure. This was performed for a nominally Mach 7 nozzle, with the test conditions of 2.4 MJ/kg total enthalpy and unit Reynolds number of 10 million/m. A Pitot survey was undertaken to fully characterise the test flow. Reflected shock tunnel mode was commissioned successfully, with the final condition being within 4.3%and 1%of the nominal nozzle supply pressure and enthalpy respectively. The core flow diamete