Design features of the General Electric Research Laboratory hypersonic shock tunnel are described. Particular emphasis is placed on many of its unique features. The loading and ignition system for consistent driver combustion without detonation is discussed. The anchoring of the driver and the slip joint clamping section that holds the main scored diaphragm is described in some detail. By boring and honing the stainless steel tubes, the attenuation of the shock wave in the long driven section was minimized. The use of a second diaphragm and a slip joint at the entrance to a conical nozzle is explained. The development of instrumentation necessary for shock tunnel operation is shown to have progressed to a point where the hypersonic shock tunnel is an extremely useful and versatile tool for hypersonic research. It is possible to simulate the Mach numbers and temperatures encountered by ICBM's, satellites, and space vehicles at the high altitude conditions.