Digital Computer Rocket Trajectory Analysis

Abstract

The trajectory of a sounding rocket may be calculated by integrating the acceleration-time data from a longitudinal accelerometer. The accelerometer data, obtained by means of radio telemetry, include the thrust and drag periods throughout the atmospheric portion of the rocket trajectory. A computer program has been written at Oklahoma State University for obtaining trajectory information. The program generates orthogonal components of acceleration, velocity, and position as a function of time by utilizing the longitudinal acceleration, launch angle, and wind correction data. The computer program is applicable to single or multistage rockets. The computer rocket trajectory program has been utilized for calculating the trajectories of several actual and hypothetical rockets using longitudinal acceleration. In some instances, radar data have been available to use as a comparison for the computer results.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1963
Accession Number
AD0420130

Entities

People

  • Oscar L. Cooper

Organizations

  • Oklahoma State University–Stillwater

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Altitude
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Curve Fitting
  • Digital Computers
  • Elevation
  • Machine Languages
  • Magnetic Drums
  • Numerical Integration
  • Oklahoma
  • Procurement
  • Rocket Trajectories
  • Trajectories
  • United States
  • Virginia
  • Wind Velocity

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Computer Science.
  • Explosive Engineering.