An Experimental Method of Determining Ballistic Winds Making Direct Use of SIRS Radiances.

Abstract

A proposed ballistic wind determination technique using the satellite infrared spectrophotometer (SIRS) data from NIMBUS 3 and 4 was tested. The general approach was to derive regression equations from a dependent data sample of nearly coincident subsatellite points and rawinsonde locations. The validity of the equations was checked with a smaller independent sample of SIRS radiances from a later period. Tests with the ballistic wind component normal to the path of the NIMBUS 3 suggested standard errors of less than 10 kts can be achieved. Both zonal and meridional components can be calculated from SIRS-B radiance data which is grouped in clusters. Because the geostrophic ballistic wind is proportional to a horizontal gradient, several techniques were attempted for calculating the gradient at the central point of the irregularly spaced set of data. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 31, 1971
Accession Number
AD0735898

Entities

People

  • Frank L. Martin
  • John W. Wright
  • Russell L. Elsberry

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analyzers
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Equations
  • Infrared Spectrophotometers
  • Instrumentation
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Optical Equipment
  • Optical Instruments
  • Radiance
  • Radiation Measuring Instruments
  • Radiosondes
  • Spectrophotometers
  • Spectrum Analyzers
  • Standards

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Regression Analysis.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Spectroscopy.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects