New Weather Sensing and Forecasting Capabilities for Ground-to-Space Operations.
Abstract
Certain weather variables exercise an important control over space operations, either by making a launch infeasible or by adversely affecting the space vehicle and its trajectory. Climatological studies and standard National Weather Service observations show that the normal range of variability with location and season, even from day to day, precludes the forecasting of these variables sufficiently accurately for precise trajectory control. Several new systems are now becoming available for measuring wind and density (or variables from which density can be computed) continuously and automatically: VAS, PROFILER, WINDSAT, and the nest generation of weather satellites. Together these systems offer the promise of continuous real-time monitoring of winds and air density throughout that part of the atmosphere that exercises the greatest influence on space operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA182002
Entities
People
- C. Schutz
- F. W. Murray
Organizations
- RAND Corporation