Engineering topics

Wright, D. U.

Publications and source records attributed to Wright, D. U..

5 records

NASA NTRS1982

Validation of the BUV satellite ozone sensor using the rocket ozonesonde

Satellite instruments such as the backscattered ultraviolet (BUV) apparatus, have been in operation for a number of years. One current difficulty is the validation of the ozone inferences obtained from the BUV measurements using independent instruments. For higher altitudes rocket instruments are necessary. Two instruments currently under development include a chemiluminescent detector described by Hilsenrath et al. (1969) and a filter photometer rocket ozonesonde (Rocoz) developed by Krueger and McBridge (1968). The present investigation is concerned with an analysis of the Rocoz system, the information content of the measurements, and the utility of the system for intercomparison with the BUV system. It is found that the sampling characteristics of the Rocoz and BUV systems exhibit some fundamental differences. However, their results can be related through knowledge of the relation between pressure and altitude. This is best obtained through the solution of the hypsometric equation using rocket temperature measurements.

Thomas, R. W. L.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Rocket ozone sounding network data

During the period March 1977 through May 1977, three regular monthly ozone profiles were measured at Wallops Flight Center and three regular monthly ozone profiles were measured at the Churchill Research Range. One additional flight was conducted at Wallops Flight Center in support of Nimbus 4 SBUV. Data results and flight profiles for the period covered are presented.

Wright, D. U.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Rocket ozone sounding network data

During the period December 1976 through February 1977, three regular monthly ozone profiles were measured at Wallops Flight Center, two special soundings were taken at Antigua, West Indies, and at the Churchill Research Range, monthly activities were initiated to establish stratospheric ozone climatology. This report presents the data results and flight profiles for the period covered.

Wright, D. U.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Comparisons of the in-situ measurements from the rocket Nimbus satellite comparison series II

Atmospheric measurements between 30 and 90 km using two rocket-borne techniques - the inflatable falling sphere and the acoustic grenade - are compared in order to determine temperature measurement compatibility. The falling sphere, deployed at 115 km, is tracked by precision radar to determine winds as well as accurate drag parameters needed to deduce density from which temperatures are derived. The acoustic grenade technique uses sound arrivals at the ground from grenades ejected at 2-km intervals to determine temperature and wind between 40 and 90 km. The available data were obtained during an in-situ techniques-comparison with the remote sounders aboard Nimbus 6 during the summer and winter of 1975.

Olsen, R. O.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Measurement of the ozone profile in support of STRATCOM

A rocket carrying an optical ozonesonde was launched at 1822 GMT on Sept. 29, 1977 in support of the STRATCOM 8 balloon. The integral ozone amount above the balloon ceiling altitude of 40 km was measured as .0117 atm-cm with an uncertainty less than + or - 7%. The ozone density at 40 km was 6.77 x 10 to the 17th power mol/cu m. Ozone densities in molecules/cu m at higher altitudes were 2.28 x 10 to the 17th power at 45 km, 6.72 x 10 to the 16th power at 50 km, 2.20 x 10 to the 16th power at 55 km, and 7.26 x 10 to the 15th power at 60 km. In addition, the ozone distribution was measured at lower altitudes from the tropopause at 17 km to 40 km.

Krueger, A. J.↗