Detonation Initiation of Strong Shock Waves to Study the Radiation Characteristics of High-Temperature Gases

An upgraded double-diaphragm shock (DDST-M) tube with detonation initiation of strong shock waves (SWs) for producing conditions simulating the entry of spacecraft (SC) into the Earth’s atmosphere at the second cosmic velocity is described. The result is achieved by optimizing the combustion of the hydrogen–oxygen mixture in the high-pressure chamber by installing a special perforated disk at the end wall of the chamber. Injection of hot gas jets through the disk openings ensures the rapid formation of a turbulent flame and a leading SW, the reflection of which from the diaphragm provides gas combustion in the energetically efficient Chapman–Jouguet detonation mode. The radiation intensities of shock-heated air in the ultraviolet and visible spectral regions are measured at a SW velocity of 11.4 km/s and an initial gas pressure ahead of the SW of 33.25 Pa.