NASA Ames(@NASAAmes):Peek inside👀 The Electric Arc Shock Tube Facility at Ames is a one-of-a-kind facility that has two shock tubes that can generate some of the fastest shock waves in the world. It simulates extremely hot, high-energy gas environments similar to what spacecraft experience during atmospheric re-entry on Earth and entry into other planetary atmospheres. These tests give scientists insights into spacecraft heating data, helping advance thermal protection system designs for future deep space exploration.

2026.06.11 15:45

Peek inside👀 The Electric Arc Shock Tube Facility at Ames is a one-of-a-kind facility that has two shock tubes that can generate some of the fastest shock waves in the world. It simulates extremely hot, high-energy gas environments similar to what spacecraft experience during atmospheric re-entry on Earth and entry into other planetary atmospheres. These tests give scientists insights into spacecraft heating data, helping advance thermal protection system designs for future deep space exploration.