Solid Fuel-Gaseous Oxygen Reaction Techniques for Producing High Altitude Barium Vapor Clouds

摘要

The program was conducted to develop superior techniques for producing barium vapor clouds at high altitudes using sounding rockets. Several possible vapor production reactions are considered and thermochemical computations are performed comparing achievable efficiencies of yielding free barium at high temperatures. Several prime candidate reactions are evaluated for safety in use and practicality in reactor design. A reactor has been designed for future implementation. Thermochemical computations, ground test results and preliminary flight test observations indicate a large increase in vaporization efficiency over previously used reactions. (Author)