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Applications of triggered lightning to space vehicle operationsKennedy Space Center (KSC) and the USAF Eastern Space Missile Center (ESMC) covering an area of 25 x 40 km are frequently called America's Spaceport. This title is earned through the integration, by labor and management, of many skills in a wide variety of engineering fields to solve many technical problems that occur during the launch processing of space vehicles. Weather is one of these problems, and although less frequent in time and duration when compared to engineering type problems, has caused costly and life threatening situations. This sensitivity to weather, especially lightning, was recognized in the very early pioneer days of space operations. The need to protect the many v\facilities, space flight hardware, and personnel from electrified clouds capable of producing lightning was a critical element in improving launch operations. A KSC lightning committee was formed and directed to improve lightning protection, detection, and measuring systems and required that all theoretical studies be confirmed by KSC field data. Over the years, there have been several lightning incidents involving flight vehicles during ground processing as well as launch. Subsequent investigations revealed the need to improve these systems as well as the knowledge of the electrical atmosphere and its effects on operations in regard to cost and safety. Presented here is how, KSC Atmospheric Science Field Laboratory (AFSL), in particular Rocket Triggered Lightning, is being used to solve these problems.
Document ID
19930015689
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Jafferis, William
(NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL, United States)
Sanicandro, Rocco
(Boeing Aerospace Co. Cocoa Beach, FL., United States)
Rompalla, John
(Wisconsin-Stout Univ. Menomonie., United States)
Wohlman, Richard
(University of Western Carolina Cullowhee, NC., United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: FAA, The 1992 International Aerospace and Ground Conference on Lightning and Static Electricity: Addendum
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Accession Number
93N24878
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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