Progress in the use of wind profiling radars for Shuttle launch support

Abstract

The use of wind profiling radars during Space Shuttle launches is examined. The way in which wind measurements are used in the launch process is described, including monitoring the day of launch winds, flight simulations, and the improvement of the data base which provides the mean winds and monthly variability of wind profiles. Results are presented from tests of two profilers conducted during March and April, 1985. The wind profiling characteristics of three profilers are listed and the winds provided by the profilers are compared to Jimsphere winds.