Air Monitoring Techniques for Space Shuttle Launches at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

摘要

Space Transportation System (STS) launches at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida have produced a wide range of environmental phenomena. These phenomena have included far field hydrogen chloride (HC1) acid rainout and near field HC1 gas revolatilization. The U.s. Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have conducted detailed scientific field and laboratory studies to define the effects of exhaust effluents produced during Space Shuttle launches. Inferences can be drawn from the monitoring studies at KSC and applied to the first STS launch at Vandenberg AFB (VAFB). There are, however, significant differences in launch scenarios between KSC and VAFB that could alter or produce different environmental effects. These differences include terrain, meteorology, flame trench configuration, deluge water and vehicle configuration. These differences may produce unforeseen environmental effects during STS launches at VAFB and for this reason, a comprehensive monitoring program should be considered. This report recommends a monitoring program methodology which includes ground monitoring, aircraft monitoring and remote sensing for STS launches at VAFB.