Imperial College London Hypersonic Wind Tunnel
Partially verified listing. NWTF’s current hypersonic facility page describes the Imperial College Hypersonic Wind Tunnel and states that it is undergoing maintenance. Its linked 2021 data sheet says “Operational”, which conflicts with the current page. This partial guide reports the current maintenance status, preserves the published facility and equipment context with a dated-source qualification, and does not represent the tunnel as currently available for use.
Imperial College LondonLondon
NWTF’s current facility page identifies Imperial College London’s Hypersonic Wind Tunnel as an intermittent impulsive nitrogen facility in London with a 0.6-metre-diameter by 1-metre test section, Mach 9 maximum-flow-speed context and an 800+ millimetre slender-model statement. The same current page says it is undergoing maintenance. Linked 2021 NWTF documents provide matching technical and equipment detail but state “Operational”, so this partial guide treats the live maintenance status as controlling and does not claim current availability.
Reviewed by Arc · About this review
Key facts
The current NWTF page identifies the London facility and says it is undergoing maintenance, while the linked data sheet states “Operational”; the current live status is treated as controlling.
- Current NWTF maintenance status
- NWTF’s current Hypersonic facility page identifies the Imperial College London tunnel in London, with a 0.6-metre-diameter by 1-metre test section, and says its operational status is “Undergoing maintenance”.
- Published NWTF information route
- NWTF’s current contact page provides a facilities enquiry form and lists admin@nwtf.ac.uk at Imperial College’s Department of Aeronautics, CAGB, London, SW7 2AZ.
Testing capabilities
The current facility page and linked data sheet publish hypersonic performance and diagnostic context, but the live page says the facility is undergoing maintenance while the dated data sheet says “Operational”.
Published hypersonic test context
NWTF’s current facility page describes an intermittent impulsive nitrogen facility with Mach 9 maximum-flow-speed context, a stated 7–47 × 10⁶ m⁻¹ variable Reynolds-number range, 20-millisecond run time and 800+ millimetre slender-model support. The linked 2021 data sheet and current page also describe high-speed data acquisition and selected diagnostics. The current page says the facility is undergoing maintenance, so confirm any current capability directly with NWTF.
Equipment and published limits
| Specification | Published value | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Published test-section and performance context | Current NWTF facility-page context: 0.6-metre-diameter by 1-metre test section; Mach 9 maximum flow speed; nitrogen working gas; 7–47 × 10⁶ m⁻¹ variable Reynolds number; 600-bar maximum variable total pressure; 1,150 K maximum variable temperature; 20-millisecond run time; one-hour typical recharge time. | These are published facility figures, not a combined operating envelope or a statement of current availability. NWTF’s current page says the tunnel is undergoing maintenance, while the linked 2021 data sheet says “Operational”. Confirm the current operational state, applicable configuration, model dimensions, condition, instrumentation, safety process, schedule and terms directly with NWTF. |
Access and contact
NWTF’s current contact page provides a facilities enquiry form and lists admin@nwtf.ac.uk at Imperial College’s Department of Aeronautics, CAGB, London, SW7 2AZ. The current hypersonic facility page says the tunnel is undergoing maintenance. Treat the form and email as information routes and confirm current operational status, facility fit, configuration, availability, price and lead time directly with NWTF.
Facility contact
- Address
- London
United Kingdom - admin@nwtf.ac.uk
- Website
- Official test house website
Standards and accreditation
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
What to confirm with the facility
- NWTF’s current facility page says the Hypersonic Wind Tunnel is undergoing maintenance. Its linked 2021 data sheet says “Operational”, so the sources conflict on operational status. This guide follows the live facility-page status and does not represent the tunnel as currently available. The figures and equipment listed in the current page and linked documents do not establish a current configuration, capacity, booking or programme acceptance.
- Confirm the current operational state, requested Mach and Reynolds-number condition, model dimensions, instrumentation, diagnostic availability, safety process, test support, reporting, schedule, price and lead time directly with NWTF.
Before requesting a test
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Frequently asked questions
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Related testing facilities
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Further reading
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Sources and review
Arc reviewed NWTF’s current Hypersonic facility page and contact page, plus the linked HS1 data sheet and equipment list, on 30 September 2026. The live page identifies the Imperial College London hypersonic facility and says it is undergoing maintenance. The linked data sheet states “Operational”, creating a current-status conflict. This partial guide follows the live maintenance statement and uses the linked documents only as qualified technical and equipment context. Confirm the current operating status and any requested test directly with NWTF.
Arc publishes this directory entry and does not operate the test facility. Suggest a correction to Arc with a supporting source.
Hypersonic | National Wind Tunnel Facility
NWTF’s current facility page is used for the Imperial hypersonic facility identity, London location, published test-section and performance context, present “Undergoing maintenance” status, selected testing and equipment context, and NWTF contact route. It does not establish current availability, a confirmed configuration, booking, capacity, price, lead time or acceptance of a particular programme.
Contact | National Wind Tunnel Facility
NWTF’s current contact page is used for its facilities enquiry form, admin@nwtf.ac.uk and Department of Aeronautics contact route. It does not establish hypersonic-facility availability, current configuration, booking, capacity, price, lead time or programme acceptance.
Imperial College Hypersonic Gun Tunnel HS1 data sheet
The NWTF-linked HS1 data sheet provides published 2021 technical and performance context, selected diagnostics and ownership information. It says “Operational”, which conflicts with the live facility page’s current “Undergoing maintenance” status; the guide follows the live page for current status and uses the data sheet only for qualified technical context.
Imperial College Hypersonic Gun Tunnel HS1 equipment list
The NWTF-linked HS1 equipment list provides a dated published equipment list. It does not establish current installation, working condition, availability, configuration, booking, capacity, price, lead time or acceptance of a particular programme.