Ground Cloud Dispersion Measurements During The Titan IV Mission #B33 (15 October 1997) at Cape Canaveral Air Station
Abstract
This report presents plume imagery documenting the development and dispersion of the Titan IV #B33 launch ground cloud at Cape Canaveral Air Station on 15 October 1997 at 0443 EDT. Also presented are pertinent meteorological data taken from towers, Doppler radars, and rawinsonde balloons. IR cameras were used at four locations around the launch site to track the trajectory and time evolution of the exhaust ground cloud for 1.5-2.5 min following launch. Meteorological data were collected to improve understanding of cloud dispersion and to use as input during model simulations and evaluations. Rawinsonde balloon data, 915 MHz Doppler radar data, and meteorological tower data were collected and archived. These data and similar data from other launches will be used to determine the accuracy of atmospheric dispersion models such as the Rocket Exhaust Effluent Diffusion Model (REEDM) in predicting toxic hazard corridors (THCs) at the USAF Eastern and Western Ranges. Reduction of available imagery data yielded limited information on cloud rise and dispersion. The imagery showed that the bottom edge of the launch cloud rose above the altitude of the bottom of the atmospheric clouds (514 m AGL) within 2.3 min after launch. REEDM 7.08 predicted that the bottom edge of the launch cloud would stabilize at 480 m AGL. The bottom of the actual launch cloud therefore rose at least 7% higher than predicted by REEDM 7.08. Analysis of the imagery also showed that the rising cloud had an air entrainment coefficient (ratio of increase in diameter to increase in altitude) of 0.39. This is significantly smaller than the default air entrainment coefficient of 0.64 that is used in REEDM 7.08.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA354948
Entities
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation