The Rocket Electric Field Sounding (REFS) Program: Prototype Design and Successful First Launch
Abstract
The motivation, design and successful first flight of a sounding rocket to measure profiles of vector electrostatic field in the lower troposphere are described. The design employs eight shutter field mills and a corona-charging system in a manner similar to aircraft previously instrumented for the measurement of electric fields. A rocket offers significant advantages over an aircraft in simplicity and calibration. A single cylindrical rotor covering most of the payload acts as the shutter for all eight mills in this design. The cylindrical symmetry and circular cross sections of the vehicle facilitate straightforward calibration. Also included in the payload are a pressure sensor, a longitudinal accelerometer, a transverse magnometer, and a novel cloud-penetration detector. A fair-weather test flight at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility demonstrated the workability of the basic design and identified a few necessary modifications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 15, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA257762
Entities
People
- A. R. Driesman
- D. C. Curtis
- J. C. Willett
- J. J. Jones
- R. K. Longstreth
- W. P. Winn
- W. Rison
Organizations
- Phillips Laboratory