Abstract: Shock Layer Radiation at NASA Ames – Background: Complex aerothermal and thermochemical phenomena of planetary entry define convective and radiative heating. A spacecraft’s TPS (Thermal Protective System) mitigates heat transfer to substructure. Successful TPS design relies on verifiable characterization of these phenomena in the anticipated flight environment. – Approach: EAST (Electric Arc Shock Tube) [facility at Ames] simulates high-enthalpy, real-gas phenomena encountered by hypersonic v…