EFFECT OF POINT ARGUELLO WIND VARIABILITY UPON RANGE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS AT WTR.
Abstract
The effect of wind variability at Western Test Range (WTR) upon a launch vehicle's instantaneous impact point (IIP) is determined in this report. It is shown that winds may cause the instantaneous impact points of a properly functioning booster to cross over the destruct line and hence be destroyed. An evaluation of preflight wind conditions is necessary when the launch azimuths are such that the nominal trajectory lies in close proximity to the destruct line. To estimate the wind induced variations in IIP or debris impact points occurring between the times a preflight wind sounding is made and launch occurs, 6-hr wind variability statistics were compiled for Point Arguello. A linear technique for determining the variability in IIP or debris impact points from the statistics was utilized for a typical launch vehicle. The wind induced standard deviation in IIP or debris impact points over a 6-hr period was found to be from one-third to one-half of the standard deviation for the monthly variation. The standard deviations of component 6-hr wind differences at a given altitude were found generally to be about one-half that of the monthly component wind standard deviations. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0658847
Entities
People
- Richard G. Stern
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation