Book Description

Detailed measurements of the vertical profile of the wind are urgently needed for studies of the response of rising missiles, but conventional wind-measuring systems cannot provide the accuracy and detail required over the necessary range of altitudes. A method is presented for obtaining a detailed, accurate profile over a large altitude range. The method utilizes photogrammetric measurement of successive positions of the trail of an ascending rocket. Construction of a rocketborne smoke generator is discussed and the photography, film reading, and data-reduction procedures are described. The accuracy of the method is examined and error equations are derived. Finally, some examples of wind profiles measured by this method are shown, and their implications for missile response are indicated.