High-pressure, clear-air ablation measurements in the AEDC/VKF hypervelocity Track G

The Track G version of the ABRES Shape Change Code (ASCC-G) is used to predict the surface ablation and temperature distribution as well as the bow shock shape and location for several shots in the AEDC Track G facility, The predictions are compared with data, and an explanation offered to explain the apparent overprediction of the model surface temperature. This explanation suggests that the helium environments used at the Track G image-converter stations may bias both recession and temperature data, resulting in significant deviations from the code predictions.