K-2 Titan IV Stratospheric Plume Dispersion.
Abstract
Video images were recorded of the plume from the K-2 Titan IV launched 2 July 1996 from Cape Canaveral Air Station. These images were used to infer plume motion and expansion near an altitude of 30 km in the stratosphere. The plume was observed to move across the sky in a generally east to west direction with a speed of 19 +/- 2 km/s. The plume diameter at an altitude of 30 km was measured for 12 min and found to increase as a linear function of time with a rate of 0.48 +/- 0.03 km/min. The diameter of a bulge that appeared in the plume at an altitude of 29.5 km was measured for 7 min and also was found to increase linearly with a rate of 0.60 +/- 0.07 km/min. The angular width of the plume increased to a value greater than the field-of-view of the cameras, restricting the observation times to those listed. The plume was visible at both visible and near-infrared wavelengths with good contrast until sunset at altitude, which occurred 15 min after vehicle passage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 10, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA323365
Entities
People
- E. J. Beiting
- R. A. Klingberg
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation