Dropout Probe Techniques for in Situ Measurements of Missile Plume Optical Radiance Characteristics

摘要

Dropout capsules incorporating instruments capable of measuring the optical properties of missile plumes and the instrumentation to assist in determining the capsule's aspect within the plume were designed and developed. Experiments wherein the capsules were dropped from scientific passenger pods attached to Atlas and Titan II missiles through the plumes of the in-flight missiles were conducted. Eight capsules were constructed and seven have been flown. The capsule instrumentation, integration and description of operation, as well as two extensive sections dealing with methods of determining capsule aspect within the plume are discussed. (Author)