Open AccessMethods of measuring winds and temperatures in the upper atmosphere with small rockets
Author(s) -
M. S. V. RAO,
D. N. SIKDAR
Publication year - 1965
Publication title -
mausam
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.243
H-Index - 12
ISSN - 0252-9416
DOI - 10.54302/mausam.v16i4.5696
Subject(s) - rocket (weapon) , radar , meteorology , environmental science , payload (computing) , atmosphere (unit) , altitude (triangle) , chaff , atmospheric sciences , remote sensing , aeronautics , physics , computer science , geography , aerospace engineering , mathematics , engineering , computer network , archaeology , network packet , geometry
The Indian Meteorological Rocket Launching Programme was initiated at Thumba on 14 July 1964. During the following six months seven Judi-Dart rockets and eleven test rockets were fired. The chaff payload released from the Judi-Dart rockets were tracked by an MPS-19 radar system. The data thus collected were reduced following a method which is a simple adaptation of the India Meteorological Department graphical technique.
This paper includes a description of the Judi-Dart and test rockets as well as the radar system. The method of data reduction employed at Thumba is explained with an actual example. A comparison is drawn between this method and the one employed in the U.S.A. (Wallops station).
A few remarks are added on the present International ROCOB Code in the light of the experience gained at Thumba.
A brief survey is also included of techniques of measuring winds and temperatures with small meteorological rockets which are currently in use in other countries and some of which may be adopted at Thumba in future.