Testing thermal protection capabilities of ablative materials is one of the main working areas of DLR’s arc heated facilities LBK in Cologne. Work on this particular topic has been intensified about five years ago with the following major focus points:   Significant improvement of the facilities testing capabilities with respect to cold wall heat flux rates and stagnation pressure. Ablation testing in Martian atmosphere. Influence of dust particle erosion on ablation

Esser, Bunkard