A small, radio-controlled aircraft as a platform for meteorological sensors
Radio controlled small aircraft as measurement platform for meteorological sensors, discussing development and performance from field tests
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Radio controlled small aircraft as measurement platform for meteorological sensors, discussing development and performance from field tests
ITOS meteorological satellite scanning radiometer using point detector optical system for earth imaging
Instrument development, techniques, and applications of meteorological measurements made from satellite platforms
Meteorological soundings of the upper stratosphere and mesosphere, conducted with in situ rocket techniques during all seasons of the year from several sites, ranging in latitude from 8 deg S to 71 deg N, are analyzed. The resulting data are compiled into mean monthly and seasonal profiles of temperature, pressure, density, and wind for each site and are presented in graphical and tabular form. Analyses of these mean values produced time cross sections, quasi-meridional cross sections, and constant level maps which are included.
ATS pictures for meteorological applications and satellite-borne instruments
Evaluation of a large number of meteorological sounding of the mesosphere performed by the acoustic grenade technique and the pitot probe technique. An attempt is made to produce a climatology of observed values of temperature, pressure, density, and wind at various latitudes and seasons which will update and supplement the standard atmospheres and provide realistic inputs for computations involving neutral and ion composition, energy propagation, and transport processes. Temperature-time cross sections over the various observation stations are presented, as well as quasi-meridional cross sections of temperature, pressure, and density, maps of mean zonal and mean meridional winds, and maps of mean winter and mean summer circulation at various levels.
The purposes, procedures, and nature of the planned meteorology experiment of Viking, 1976 are described. The elements to be measured are pressure, temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and water vapor content of the atmosphere. The interactions with other Viking experiments are outlined and candidate sensors are described.
The objective of the Barium Ion Cloud Project was to study a barium ionized cloud released at an altitude of 5 earth radii. Accurate forecasting of weather conditions to prevail during the experiment period was critical to the project success. Good seeing conditions were required at all optical sites during the experiment. All meteorological support was the responsibility of the National Weather Service at Wallops Station, Virginia. Preliminary results confirm the scientists' theories of the magnetic fields and the existence of electric fields in the magnetosphere.
Discussion of fluid mechanics experiments designed to verify theoretical understanding of the stability of stratified shear flows. Meteorological analyses of CAT encounters are reviewed, and attempts are made to tie this information together to investigate possible improvements in CAT forecasting methods. The essential facts are presented in a form intended to be useful to forecasters and flight crews.
Frequency distributions prepared from synoptic meteorological parameters associated with turbulent and nonturbulent conditions encountered by the XB-70 aircraft at altitudes generally between 12 and 20 km in the stratosphere show that turbulence is associated with certain ranges or critical values of the parameters. Certain combinations of the variables are associated with turbulence for at least one-fourth to one-third of the observations.
A comprehensive digital computer program is described which automatically processes precision digitized data from conventional rocketsondes and radars to produce accurately corrected temperatures and winds together with estimated uncertainties at each point. Underlying models for the systematic errors in the Arcasonde 1A temperature sensor and the radar-tracked parachute wind sensor, and for the uncertainty in corrected results are presented. Techniques used to automatically edit, synchronize and filter data are also given. Performance is illustrated by graphical output from the eight meteorological soundings in the rocket series conducted at Wallops Island, Va., during the Mar. 7, 1970 solar eclipse. An operational version (METROK) of the program is in use at NASA Wallops Station.
Statistical retrieval methods for remote sounding are reviewed. Methods are given for constraining an essentially incomplete problem by means of the known statistical behavior of the solution. Information content of the observations and the meteorological structure are discussed. Linear versions of maximum probability and minimum variance methods are given in some detail, and extensions to the nonlinear case are described.
The structural design, analysis, and mechanical integration of the synchronous meteorological satellite system are presented. The subjects discussed are: (1) spacecraft configuration, (2) structural design, (3) static load tests, (4) fixed base sinusoidal vibration survey, (5) flight configuration sinusoidal vibration tests, (6) spacecraft acoustic test, and (7) separation and shock test. Descriptions of the auxiliary propulsion subsystem, the apogee boost motor, communications system, and thermal control subsystem are included.
Processing techniques were tested for deducing cloud motion vectors from overlapped portions of pairs of pictures made from meteorological satellites. This was accomplished by programming and testing techniques for estimating pattern motion by means of cross correlation analysis with emphasis placed upon identifying and reducing errors resulting from various factors. Techniques were then selected and incorporated into a cloud motion determination program which included a routine which would select and prepare sample array pairs from the preprocessed test data. The program was then subjected to limited testing with data samples selected from the Nimbus 4 THIR data provided by the 11.5 micron channel.
The benefits derived from satellite technology in educational communication and meteorology are cited.
The impact of advanced satellite meteorology on long range weather forecasts, agriculture, commerce, and resource utilization are examined. All data are geared to obtaining a picture of various user needs and possible benefits.
Possible legal ramifications to the U.S. Government as a result of utilization and distribution of meteorological satellite data are explored.
Management and use meteorological satellite data to detect severe storms and crop disease