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Submillimeter-wave properties of thermospheric rocket plumesThe problem of detecting rocket plumes at thermospheric altitudes with satellite-borne submillimeter-wave radiometers is examined theoretically. To estimate the sizes of plume signatures contrasted against a 250-K earth background or in self-emission against the cold sky, a computer program has been developed to predict plume brightness temperatures and optical depths of rotational lines of plume molecular constituents (e.g., H2O) as a function of distance from the nozzle. The methods employed in the computations are described in general terms, and examples are presented to indicate that detectable H2O signatures extending to several thousand nozzle diameters should exist at plume altitudes above 250 km.
Document ID
19800067785
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Litvak, M. M.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Weiss, J. A.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Dionne, G. F.
(MIT, Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington Mass., United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1980
Publication Information
Publication: International Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves
Volume: 1
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
ESD-TR-81-32
AD-A101149
Accession Number
80A51955
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS7-100
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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