Survey of Vacuum UltraViolet experimental data in relation to radiation characterization for Earth high-speed re-entry

TL;DR

This survey compiles and analyzes existing VUV radiation data from various fields to support hypersonic atmospheric entry studies and future space exploration missions, especially in relation to Earth re-entry and lunar exploration.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of available VUV experimental data across multiple disciplines relevant to space entry and exploration, highlighting datasets valuable for future validation efforts.

Findings

Limited VUV data specifically for space re-entry.

Extended review to nuclear fusion and exobiology domains.

Identified key datasets for future comparison with ESTHER measurements.

Abstract

This contribution is a survey of the available experimental radiation data measured in the VUV range related to hypersonic atmospheric entry. The objective is to identify the experimental datasets already gathered during aerothermodynamics studies for preparing sample return missions, and future. The final goal is to identify the most valuable VUV datasets for comparisons with future measurements to be performed in the European shock-tube ESTHER. Due to the limited number of studies covering VUV radiation in relation to space exploration missions, and manned Moon exploration, the review has been extended to domains such as nuclear fusion, exobiology, chemical and process engineering.