PlasmaSonic systems are high-enthalpy plasma wind tunnels developed by Tekna to enable ground-based testing of materials and components exposed to extreme conditions. Designed for aerospace and defense programs, these wind tunnels provide controlled plasma environments for evaluating thermal protection systems response during atmospheric re-entry and hypersonic flight.
PlasmaSonic wind tunnels allow engineers and researchers to assess material performance, durability, and failure mechanisms under precisely controlled test conditions. By reproducing mission-relevant heat fluxes, pressures, and flow regimes, Tekna’s systems support reliable qualification of thermal protection systems, aerothermal materials, and re-entry components, while reducing risk and reliance on flight testing. Optional configurations also enable erosion testing through particle injection, simulating dusty and particulate-rich atmospheric environments encountered during planetary descent and landing.
Depending on test objectives and performance requirements, Tekna offers multiple plasma wind tunnel technologies, each optimized for specific operating regimes and test conditions.
| Technology | Description |
|---|---|
| Induction Plasma Wind Tunnel (ICPT) | Electrodeless plasma technology producing high-purity, stable heat flux conditions — ideal for thermal protection system (TPS) testing and surface chemistry studies. |
| DC Segmented Plasma Wind Tunnel (SPT) | High-power DC plasma technology optimized for specific aerothermal and heat-flux test regimes. |
| DC Huels Plasma Wind Tunnel (HPT) | DC plasma technology delivering robust, high-enthalpy performance for targeted testing applications. |
