Editing Ames Research Center (section)

===Electric Arc Shock Tube===
The Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) Facility is used to investigate the effects of radiation and ionization that occur during very high velocity atmospheric entries. In addition, the EAST can also provide air-blast simulations requiring the strongest possible shock generation in air at an initial pressure loading of {{convert|1|atm}} or greater. The facility has three separate driver configurations, to meet a range of test requirements: the driver can be connected to a diaphragm station of either a {{convert|102|mm|sp=us}} or a {{convert|610|mm|sp=us}} shock tube, and the high-pressure {{convert|102|mm|sp=us}} shock tube can also drive a {{convert|762|mm|sp=us}} shock tunnel. Energy for the drivers is supplied by a 1.25-MJ-capacitor storage system.