Cutting-edge technology test control room takes shape

Pictured is an artist’s concept of the new test control room at Arnold Engineering Development Center’s (AEDC) Hypervelocity Tunnel 9 in Silver Spring, Md. The renovation project began in late 2008 as part of the planned maintenance cycle for the facility. According to Tunnel 9 Site Director Dan Marren, the physical room, including all heating, ventilation and air conditioning and power utilities, are in place and ready for moving in the heavy equipment and control computers. The coming tasks will include fitting out the room itself, hooking up the computers and verifying the operation through careful and sequential steps. Testing of the electrical connections is ongoing prior to pressurization of the test section and the initial ‘return-to-service’ tunnel runs. He said that process is slow and deliberate. The team working the project begins with low pressure and temperature and increase to flight-type conditions (high pressure and temperature). (Illustration provided)