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The Smoke-Trail Method for Obtaining Detailed Measurements of the Vertical Wind Profile for Application to Missile-Dynamic-Response Problems

Authors :
Henry, Robert M
Brandon, George W
Tolefson, Harold B
Lanford, Wade E
Publication Year :
1961
Publisher :
United States: NASA Center for Aerospace Information (CASI), 1961.

Abstract

Detailed measurements of the vertical profile of the wind are urgently needed f o r studies of the response of rising missiles, but conventional wind-measuring systems cannot provide the accuracy and detail required over the necessary range of altitudes. A method is presented for obtaining a detailed, accurate profile over a large altitude range. The method utilizes photogrammetric measurement of successive positions of the t rail of an ascending rocket. Construction of a rocketborne smoke generator is discussed and the photography, film reading, and data-reduction procedures are described. The accuracy of the method i s examined and error equations are derived. Finally, some examples of wind profiles measured by this method are shown, and their implications for missile response are indicated.

Subjects

Subjects :
Instrumentation And Photography

Details

Language :
English
Database :
NASA Technical Reports
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsnas.20040008215
Document Type :
Report