General Applied Science Laboratory
General Applied Science Laboratory (GASL)
The General Applied Science Laboratory (GASL) is one of the pioneers of hypersonic propulsion in the world.[1] and was an active participant of the NASA X-43A program.[2]
GASL was founded in 1956 by Dr. Antonio Ferry and continues to serve as a leading developer and testing house for advance propulsion systems. Its expertise in hypersonic harsh environments has allowed it to research and test next generation materials and methods for extreme high temperatures as well as innovative combustion systems relevant to current power generation and clean energy. The company is based in Ronkonkoma, New York.
GASL is renowned for its propulsion and combustion test complex consisting of seven high pressure, high temperature test cells, NASA's Hypersonic Pulse Facility (HYPULSE)[3] test facility and shock wave (blast simulating) test facility.
Background
GASL, Inc. was founded in 1956 as Gruen Applied Science Laboratories, Inc. Later in 1958 it changed its name to General Applied Science Laboratories, Inc. and subsequently changed its name to GASL, Inc. in 1995. On November 20, 2003, Alliant Techsystems acquired GASL and it operates as a subsidiary of ATK. GASL is located in Ronkonkoma, New York.
Markets
GASL provides research, engineering and testing to governments and businesses in 12 primary areas:
- Hypersonic and propulsion systems testing
- Combustion systems and components testing
- High shear testing
- High temperature material testing (Up to 4350F and 1500 psi)
- Simulated blast testing (Shock Wave Tube)
- Energy systems integration and testing
- Gasification systems and components
- Fuel reforming systems
- Hydrogen based energy systems
- Light weight energy storage devices
- MEMS sensors for harsh environments
- Cooling, Micro-cooling and fuel injected cooling systems
Other accomplishments at GASL
SCRAMJET Development GASL has been at the forefront of SCRAMJET development for next generation propulsion such as the GASL Projectile.[4]
Upgrade of the NASA-HYPULSE shock tunnel for Mach 7 and Mach 10 flight speeds [5] GASL was instrumental in the upgrade of the NASA-HYPULSE test facility to simulate Mach 7 and Mach 10 flight speeds.
References
- ^ Heppenheimer, "Facing The Heat Barrier: A History of Hypersonics",Sep 2007, "[1]", 8/10/2011
- ^ Wikipedia, "NASA X43",Aug 2011, "[2]", 8/10/2011
- ^ Wikipedia, "Expansion Tunnel, Hypulse",Aug 2011, "[3]", 8/10/2011
- ^ Wikipedia, "SCRAMJET Programs",July 2011, "[4]", 8/11/2011
- ^ Bakos, R. J.; Tsai, C.-Y.; Rogers, R. C.; Shih, A. T.,"The Mach 10 Component of NASA's Hyper-X Ground Test Program," Langley Research Center(1999)