MODEL ATMOSPHERES IN TRAJECTORY DESIGN,

Abstract

Model atmospheres are necessary to determine the effects of aerodynamic drag, lift, winds, and heating upon the trajectories of ballistic missiles and space vehicles. A defining property which can be measured, such as atmospheric temperature, is chosen and its functional relationship with altitude is determined; then other atmospheric properties such as density and pressure are computed from the laws of hydrodynamics and thermodynamics. Various atmospheric models have been developed for the earth, the most useful of which appear to be the CIRA 1961 Atmosphere and the Sissenwine 1% Wind Profile. Models for Mars and Venus are somewhat speculative, being based upon spectroscopic and polarimetric measurements rather than direct measurement by sounding rockets. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 15, 1962
Accession Number
AD0696634

Entities

People

  • L. T. Gregg

Organizations

  • General Dynamics

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerodynamic Drag
  • Atmospheres
  • Atmospheric Properties
  • Atmospheric Temperature
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Drag
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Measurement
  • Rockets
  • Sounding Rockets
  • Spacecraft
  • Trajectories

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris