A method is described for the determination of an approximate missile trajectory from optical observations. The advantage of an approximate trajectory is the use of single-station observations, the ease of measurements, and the simplicity of the calculations. Adequate results may be obtained quickly for many applications with minimum effort.nThe basic data consist of a night time trajectory photograph, trajectory timing, and the impact point. An inexpensive aerial camera would suffice for the optical data. Background stars define a coordinate system by which the angular trajectory relative to the observing station can be determined. The angular measurements plus an approximate trajectory plane orientation define the position coordinates. For short ranges, the impact and launch points fix a possible trajectory plane.nA reduction is given of a vehicle reentry trajectory at the White Sands Missile Range. The resultant slant ranges are necessary to compute radiation intensities at the source from the observed intensities at the ob serving station. The errors introduced in the intrinsic intensities by the approximate trajectory were less than 5%. The time required for determination of the approximate trajectory exclusive of intensity reductions is only one or two days.
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