SEDL / STP / STP1522-EB / STP48837S

Advanced Crew Escape Suits (ACES) Particle Impact Test

Rosales, Keisa R.
Chemical Engineer, NASA Test and Evaluation Contract, Las Cruces, NM

Stoltzfus, Joel M.
Project Manager, NASA White Sands Test Facility, Las Cruces, NM

Pages: 20    Published: Jan 2009

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Abstract

NASA Johnson Space Center requested NASA JSC White Sands Test Facility to assist in determining the effects of impaired anodization on aluminum parts in advanced crew escape suits (ACES). Initial investigation indicated poor anodization could lead to an increased risk of particle impact ignition, and a lack of data was prevalent for particle impact of bare (unanodized) aluminum; therefore, particle impact tests were performed. A total of 179 subsonic (Test Series 1–3) and 60 supersonic (Test Series 6) tests were performed with no ignition of the aluminum targets. Based on the resulting test data and analysis, WSTF found no increased particle impact hazard was present in the ACES equipment.