MVP Deployment #4 (May 1997) Tracer Gas Atmospheric Dispersion Measurements at Vandenberg Air Force Base
Abstract
As part of the USAF Atmospheric Dispersion Model Validation Program (MVP), puffs of tracer gas were released from an airship (i.e., free-flying blimp) over the eastern and western rocket launch ranges (Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, MVP deployments 1-3, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, MVP deployment 4, respectively). Infrared cameras, located at multiple locations, simultaneously imaged the transport and dispersion of the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer from various perspectives. The imagery is being quantitatively analyzed to follow the movement and the dispersion of the puffs with time. Analysis of the simultaneous multi-perspective imagery quantifies the absolute dispersion of individual puffs as well as the relative dispersion and motion of groups of puffs. Expansion rates are reported separately for the various axes (alongwind, crosswind, etc...) relative to the puff trajectory (effective wind bearing). The infrared imagery revealed the puff extent to a threshold of 1-5 ppm-m column density, which included the bulk of the SF6 tracer. The objective of the activity is to correlate the imagery-derived atmospheric expansion rates with other 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 simultaneously by infrared cameras at multiple ground locations. This report provides a summary of the imagery-derived results from the MVP #4 puff releases at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 15, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA380382
Entities
People
- R. N. Abernathy
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation