11th International Workshop on Radiation of High Temperature Gases for Space Missions

Acceptance Testing of the ESTHER shock tube in operational configuration: First outcomes

24 Sept 2026, 11:30

30m

The Angevin Castle (Mola Di Bari)

High Speed Facilities, Flight Testing and Propulsion High speed facilities, flight testing and propulsion

Speaker

Mario Lino da Silva (Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear - Instituto Superior Tecnico)

Description

On November 2025, ESTHER carried out its first shot in full operational configuration, reaching an estimated velocity of 8km/s. Since then the operational acceptance tests have been ongoing, validating several design choices, yet highlighting a series of flaws in the design that have been under correction during this acceptance campaign, which is scheduled to close at the end of 2026.

This presentation presents the outcomes and lessons learned of this ongoing qualification campaign.

Summary

We present the latest outcomes of the final ESTHER acceptance testing campaign