Testing the Model in the Ballistics Range

Models designed for tests in the Ballistics Range
at Ames Research Center

A drawing of the parts of the Ballistics Range

Balistic Range Test section, exterior.

Ballistic Range test section, interior.

Ballistic Range gun room.

A model of a Mercury capsule captured by highspeed cameras in the
ballistics gun, showing the forward pressure shockwave and the wake.

A model of the X-15 rocket plane showing the shockwave.

An X-ray photograph of a sharp cone projectile in a separation chamber
showing the separation of the four sabot pieces.

1" thick polycarbonate target that has been shot with a 1/4" diameter
aluminum sphere at 7.7 km/s (25,260 ft/s) impacts a target made of stacked
1/8" aluminum plates.

Side view

Front view

Back view

This and the next picture show what happens when a 1.5" diameter, 30 gram
polyethylene projectile, with a velocity of 7.0 km/s (23,000 ft/s)
impacts a target made of stacked 1/8" aluminum paltes.

NASA Ames Vertical Gun Range