Real-time tracking and targeting computations and rocket vehicle aeroballistics for the PLACES ionospheric plasma test series
The PLACES ionospheric plasma test series investigated the effect of a structured ionosphere plasma (similar to that produced by a high-altitude nuclear explosion) on satellite navigation and communication systems, and provided in situ measurements of the plasma. This report discusses the aeroballistic characteristics of the PLACES Terrier-Tomahawk 9 rocket systems, including barium/barium-nitrate carriers, beacon vehicles (for plasma-occultation experiments), and probe vehicles (for in situ plasma measurement). The drifting-plasma tracking and the beacon and probe-vehicle targeting procedures are presented with vehicle flight test and experimental results. The test series consisted of four separate barium releases (each on a different day), two beacon vehicle launches, and one probe vehicle launch. The PLACES test series was sponsored by the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA).
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5435212
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-81-2091; ON: DE82012019
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BARIUM IONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
DATA PROCESSING
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
IONOSPHERE
IONS
MEASURING METHODS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA
PROCESSING
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
ROCKETS
SPACE VEHICLES
TRAJECTORIES
VEHICLES