An Analysis of Lightning Launch Constraints
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis was to review the current set of lightning launch constraints being used by NASA, the USAF and the U.S. Navy. The 3 primary objectives were to: 1) Assimilate current knowledge about triggered lightning to aerospace systems, and how lightning launch constraints are used to make launching safer; 2) Analyze cloud-to-ground lightning in the Cape Canaveral, Florida, area for spatial and diurnal distributions and for its impact on launch availability; 3) Develop a model to simulate all lightning events to better determine launch availabilities based on the first constraint. The study found that lightning activity in the Cape area is not uniformly distributed in time or space. There is a well-known afternoon peak in activity, plus, there are areas where lightning occurs with much greater frequency--especially with low-level winds from the southwest. Since the launch constraints specify standoff distances and delay times from naturally occurring lightning, and launch availability is a function of time of year, time of day, and launch site. From the simulation model, equations were derived to define launch availability as a function of standoff distance and delay time for each summer month (Apr-Sep) and each 3-hour group (e.g. 0000-0300 Local Standard Time) in July and August. Keywords: Launch vehicles, Launching constraints, Atmospheric electricity. Theses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA206084
Entities
People
- Donald E. Holland
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology