Clean vacuum for technological progress

The reliable vacuum solution from Busch plays a key role in the success of the experiments in the RWG and supports technological progress. The DLR makes the results of its basic research available to companies in the aerospace industry to develop and refine technologies for current and future missions. The Göttingen-based scientists also work closely with international organizations such as NASA, ESA and the other DLR sites on global research projects. In the past, for example, a model of the X-38 spacecraft was tested in the Göttingen Ludwieg Tube Wind Tunnel on behalf of NASA and ESA. This craft was intended as a crew return vehicle (CRV) to be able to bring ISS astronauts back to Earth in the event of an emergency. This type of spacecraft must withstand enormous heat and mechanical loads when entering the Earth’s atmosphere. These conditions were replicated as accurately as possible in the tube wind tunnel . "Despite enormous advances in numerical flow mechanics, many phenomena in turbulent flows still cannot be adequately and accurately predicted. In our studies, we create an important validation database that helps improve existing models and develop new numerical calculation methods. We see this as the actual purpose of this research facility," says Schülein. Vacuum technology from Busch is an important part of this.