Ballistic Sphere Techniques for Measuring Atmospheric Parameters.

Abstract

A near real-time method for measuring atmospheric winds, temperature, density, and pressure was initiated and tested. The technique used a 0.1-m sphere deployed from a small meteorological rocket and tracked by a high precision radar to acquire data from position measurements. Total elapsed time from launch to sphere impact was 11 to 13 minutes. Spheres were tracked by several radars, and comparable temperatures were attained between spheres. Comparisons of temperature with independent radiosondes and rocketsondes were also made and showed good agreement with two identifiable bias areas at 25 km and 35 km. Wind data showed excellent comparability with differences in direction occurring primarily in light wind conditions of less than 10 m/s.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1977
Accession Number
ADA044314

Entities

People

  • Bruce W. Kennedy
  • James K. Luers

Organizations

  • United States Army Communications-Electronics Command

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Altitude
  • Artillery
  • Atmospheric Sciences
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Equations
  • Measurement
  • Meteorology
  • Military Research
  • Molecular Dynamics
  • National Security
  • Noise (Radar)
  • Security
  • Space Systems
  • Test And Evaluation

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Fluid Dynamics.