HHSTT Rainfield and Wind Barrier

The Holloman High Speed Test Track (HHSTT) is an aerospace ground test facility. Commonly referred to as the Track, the HHSTT is the world’s premier rocket sled test facility. The HHSTT provides a critical mission in support of the nation’s warfighter. Over the years, the HHSTT has demonstrated a wide variety of test capabilities. New applications for rocket sled testing are frequently developed. Among its proven test capabilities are full-scale life support systems, parachutes, canopies, impact testing, weapons dispense testing, and environmental testing. The HHSTT has the capability to generate a rainfield of varying intensities and droplet sizes. However, the effect of the local wind conditions has never been studied or analyzed. This wind effect on the rainfield is the primary objective of this paper. In order to execute this wind/rainfield study the HHSTT has acquired one laser precipitation monitor (LPM), ten ultrasonic anemometers, and a wind barrier. The test setup consisted of a wind-barrier (100 m long and 5 m high) set 18 m to the West of the track. The wind barrier consisted of a metal structure supporting a polyester screen which had a 30% porosity rating. Wind data were collected continuously over a four-day period using ten ultrasonic anemometers arranged in an array across the middle of the wind barrier, with a 20 Hz sampling frequency. In order to analyze the effectiveness of the wind barrier, the anemometers were placed in front of and behind the wind barrier. This test validated the current wind barrier design, justifying the construction of another section of the wind barrier and setting the foundation for a follow-on rainfield study.