Ultraviolet emissions quantified by rocket payloads

Deborah A. Levin; Leonard H. Caveny; David M. Mann

doi:10.1117/12.140868

22 January 1993 Ultraviolet emissions quantified by rocket payloads

Deborah A. Levin, Leonard H. Caveny, David M. Mann

Proceedings Volume 1764, Ultraviolet Technology IV; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.140868
Event: San Diego '92, 1992, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Plumes and aerodynamic shock structures of rockets produce prominent UV and IR emissions. The extensive literature explains many aspects of the IR emission: whereas the UV emissions are less well understood and have only recently been quantified. Hypervelocity missiles in the continuum and near-continuum atmosphere produce high temperature shocklayers (i.e., 8000 K for speeds of 5 km/sec). Atmospheric molecular oxygen and nitrogen react and the products are excited to produce nitrogen oxide molecular - band radiation. Previous papers describe two rocket flight experiments that obtained in-situ radiometric UV data with onboard instruments directly viewing the shocklayer and plume regions. An example of data obtained were the well defined spectra of NO ((Gamma) ,(Beta) ) emission with signal strengths on the order of 0.0014 W/cm²sr for a rocket velocity of 5 km/sec at 70 km. This radiance was 15 times stronger than recent theoretical predictions and is observable using present detector systems. The UV radiance and background data that has been collected from these rocket flights and the LACE/UVPI satellite program implies a systems utility. In addition, a third experiment is being planned to extend the velocity to 7 km/sec. Scanning spectrometers and photometers will observe the shock plume interactions. Angular scanning is being included to define the structures of the far field plume. The area of greatest uncertainty and potential opportunity will be described in terms of the mechanistic understanding.

Citation Download Citation

Deborah A. Levin, Leonard H. Caveny, and David M. Mann "Ultraviolet emissions quantified by rocket payloads", Proc. SPIE 1764, Ultraviolet Technology IV, (22 January 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.140868

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available