Tracer Puff Dispersion at Launch Sites

Abstract

As part of the USAF Atmospheric Dispersion Model Validation Program (MVP), puffs of tracer gas were released from a blimp over the rocket launch sites at Cape Canaveral AS and Vandenberg AFB. Multiple infrared cameras imaged the transport and diffusion of the puffs. The imagery is being analyzed to determine the position, movement, and growth of the puffs with time. The objective of the activity is to correlate atmospheric diffusion rates with measurements of atmospheric turbulence. Results of the activity will be used to evaluate and improve the models that are used at the launch ranges to predict the dispersion of toxic clouds generated by launch operations. This is the first time that tracer gases have been released from a free flying blimp and imaged by infrared cameras at ground locations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 15, 1999
Accession Number
ADA368855

Entities

People

  • B. L. Lundblad
  • I. A. Min
  • R. N. Abernathy
  • W. S. Kempf

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Algorithms
  • Altitude
  • Aspect Ratio
  • Atmospheric Motion
  • Crosswinds
  • Dispersions
  • Engineering
  • Measurement
  • Rocket Exhaust
  • Surface Roughness
  • Systems Engineering
  • Turbulence
  • Wind
  • Wind Direction
  • Wind Shear

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Medical Imaging.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.