As part of the USAF Atmospheric Dispersion Model Validation Program (MVP), puffs of tracer gas were released from a blimp over the rocket launch sites at Cape Canaveral AS and Vandenberg AFB. Multiple infrared cameras imaged the transport and diffusion of the puffs. The imagery is being analyzed to determine the position, movement, and growth of the puffs with time. The objective of the activity is to correlate atmospheric diffusion rates with measurements of atmospheric turbulence. Results of the activity will be used to evaluate and improve the models that are used at the launch ranges to predict the dispersion of toxic clouds generated by launch operations. This is the first time that tracer gases have been released from a free flying blimp and imaged by infrared cameras at ground locations.


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    Title :

    Tracer Puff Dispersion at Launch Sites


    Contributors:
    R. N. Abernathy (author) / I. A. Min (author) / B. L. Lundblad (author) / W. S. Kempf (author)

    Publication date :

    1999


    Size :

    17 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





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