Lidar measurement of Titan IV rocket exhaust plumes at stratospheric heights
- AFMC Phillips Lab., Hanscom AFB, MA (United States)
- Aerospace Corp., Los Angeles, CA (United States). Electronics Technology Center
- PhotoMetrics Inc., Woburn, MA (United States)
Concern exists over the impact of the emissions of large rockets powered by solid motors upon the ozone layer. A scanning lidar, operating at 532, 355 and 308 nm, has been developed to address this issue. The authors report the first lidar observations of the rocket exhaust plume in the stratosphere. Over 500 sets of lidar profiles were collected in three campaigns covering Titan IV K-21 (Nov. 6, 1995), Space Shuttle STS-76ss (Mar. 22, 1996) and Titan IV K-16 (Apr. 24, 1996). Thin particle layers were observed in the 18--43 km altitude region for up to three hours after launch. Plume dimensions and dispersion rate were inferred from the observations. The plume thickness was measured to be less than 250 meters. Backscattering signals dependence on wavelengths were analyzed showing a weakening trend with time.
- OSTI ID:
- 492298
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960848--; ISBN 0-8194-2221-5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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