Rocket Propulsion Experimental Facilities at the Phillips Laboratory, Edwards Air Force Base, California

The Phillips Laboratory has extensive rocket propulsion facilities at Edwards Air Force Base, California. These facilities range from small scale cells capable of firing liquid rocket engines as small as 0.01 lbf (0.04 Newtons (N)) thrust up to very large liquid/solid test stands designed for firings up to 10 million lbf (44.5 million N) thrust. This paper gives a review of the variety and capabilities of the numerous facilities at Edwards Air Force Base, as well as an overview of current projects. Emphasis is placed on the general capabilities of these facilities; specifics are available upon request to the author. Trends in the evolution of rocket test facilities are discussed.