The spinning model is supported in the tunnel by the vertically rising air current.
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Facility Applications
- Spin mode analysis, identification of recovery control strategies, and emergency spin-recovery parachute sizing are accomplished in the VST. Nearly all U.S. high-performance fighter, attack, and trainer aircraft, as well as some bombers, foreign designs, small parachutes, and several general aviation aircraft have been tested at the VST.
- The VST has provided key subsonic, dynamic stability data for many non-crewed and human-related atmospheric entry vehicles. Examples include Pioneer Venus, Stardust, and Mars Sample Return prototypes and the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space capsules.
- Most recently, the VST is contributing to development of NASA’s Orion crew exploration vehicle with subsonic dynamic stability assessments of the Orion Launch Abort Vehicle and crew module, drogue parachute performance, and rotary balance studies of the Blended Wing Body and ARES Mars Airplane configurations.
20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel Fact Sheet
