NWTF Spotlight: The High Supersonic Wind Tunnel (HSST)

Operating at Mach 4, 5 & 6, the High Supersonic Wind Tunnel (HSST) facility at the University of Manchester has excellent optical access allowing measurement techniques such as Schlieren, PSP, PIV and infrared thermograph. This allows researchers to investigate high speed flows in a lot more detail than with point measurements. The typical turnover time is 15 minutes allowing many runs per day.

The High Supersonic Wind Tunnel (HSST) is used by academics from around the world to investigate of control surfaces or flow control devices that would be used on single stage to orbit vehicles such as Skylon. It is also used to study satellite deorbit and breakup on re-entry and launch and re-entry vehicle aerodynamics.

Researchers using this facility are from the University of Manchester and project partners such as Padova University and partners in Malaysia. Additionally, this facility is used as part of the undergraduate taught program as well on a unit on launch and re-entry vehicle aerodynamics.

Watch NWTF’s short film to find out more about this facility.

Film showcasing the HSST facility at the University of Manchester.

Thank you to Professor Shan Zhong and Dr Mark Quinn for taking part. To use this facility, contact [email protected] or via the contact page.