EXCEDE Support Studies.
Abstract
Various aspects relating to the EXCEDE artificial aurora project are discussed: (1) Data from EXCEDE SPECTRAL in the 4.5 to 5 micrometers region taken by infrared circular variable filters is analyzed for emission from CO, N2O, and NO+. The spectral band profile and altitude dependence of the 4.5 micrometers feature correlates with a model for NO+ chemiluminescent emission. (2) A preliminary analysis of spectra in the 12 to 22 micrometers region shows CO2 V sub 2 radiation at 15 micrometers to be the predominant feature. Altitude profiles for peaks at 14 and 16 micrometers are presented. (3) The flowfield for the hypersonic wake of the EXCEDE vehicle at lower altitudes is characterized. Intensity patterns in photographs taken with the on-board visible camera are explained in terms of bow shock and wake shock formation and a procedure is outlined for analyzing the radiometric data in terms of this effect. (4) The long lived electron beam-induced chemiluminescent trail of the Precede I experiment recorded from ground based photography has been analyzed for intensity and altitude distribution. The air afterglow reaction NO + O yields NO2 + hv, from beam-produced NO and ambient atomic oxygen, is not sufficiently strong to account for the observed 10 k Rayleigh intensity. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 15, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA115210
Entities
People
- Fritz Bien
- Mark S. Zahniser
- Robert Lyons
- Wai Cheng
Organizations
- Aerodyne Research