On the Job - Impact Research

Here are a few pictures of the impact facilities at work

This picture is of a large amplitude vibration aparatus. It has not been used for at least 10 years. It can be seen in operation during the "Right Stuff" movie.

 

The pictures above are of the Horizontal Sled area. Right now it has an ejection seat haul back device near the beginning of the track. One view is of the flag that subjects get to look at just before they are pulled back into the seat (or are blasted down the track. The other view is from above.

These pictures are of the Drop Tower. Here, a subject is hoisted 8 to 10 feet up the track and the seat is released. It falls until a torpedo shaped plunger begins forcing water out of a four foot water filled pipe. G forces are up to 10 Gs.