This article gives an overview on the current status of the high enthalpy plasma wind tunnel facilities at the Institute of Space Systems at the University of Stuttgart. Using three different facility types the simulation of the aerothermodynamic environment experienced by vehicles entering the atmospheres of Earth and Mars are the current focus of the research. This paper describes the testing rationale, the different facility types and the available testing conditions. Recent accomplishments in performance optimization due to the refurbishment of the vacuum pumping system and the control system of the DC power supply are shown. The current challenges in the advancement of these systems are described. A very brief introduction in the diagnostic methods under investigation is given and some aspects of future testing demands are given.