DEVELOPMENT, FABRICATION, ASSEMBLY, AND TESTING OF UV ABSORPTION SPECTROGRAPH FOR AEROBEE ROCKET FLIGHT.
Abstract
The work involves a continuation of the development of rocket-borne UV spectrographs to study the solar spectrum in the spectral region below 3000A and to determine the density of atomic oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere between 80 and 100 km. A one meter normal incidence spectrograph, using a predispersion grating, was developed, fabricated and tested for use on a rocket flight. Laboratory testing showed the spectrograph to have the proper characteristics, however, it was found that a prefocussing mirror, when used in place of the grating, produced a higher speed instrument that was more suitable for laboratory use. The unit was sent to AFCRL and is presently being used as a laboratory instrument. A similar instrument was designed and fabricated into the rocket payload that carried a self-contained UV light source to determine the atmospheric absorption. The experiment was flown and it appeared to be a feasible method to obtain the data, but a subsequent mechanical failure after launch precluded any spectrographic data or method analysis, as the payload did not separate from the rocket, causing a complete loss of the instrument. Investigation of the properties of reflectivity and transmissivity of thin films in the spectral region provided information for improved and new reflecting and transmitting optics. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0688563
Entities
People
- Vernon L. Stone
- William K. Fowler
Organizations
- University of Colorado Boulder