Accession Number:

AD0641332

Title:

THE MEASUREMENT OF HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOON GAS TEMPERATURE.

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept.,

Corporate Author:

LITTLE (ARTHUR D) INC CAMBRIDGE MA

Personal Author(s):

• Lucas, R. M.
• Hall, G. H.

Report Date:

1966-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

31.0

Abstract:

A mathematical model of the vertical motion of high altitude zero pressure balloons, programmed for a digital computer, has been in operation for several years. Correlation of input and output data of the program with the measured data of actual flights has been good, but incomplete, because of the lack of simultaneous measurements of balloon gas and air temperature. A test flight was conducted to obtain balloon gas and air temperatures. The necessary flight parameters were then used to fly the mathematical model and the output of this digital program, altitude, and gas temperature, were compared to the measured values. The resulting correlation indicate that the mathematical model is sufficiently accurate to predict the vertical motion of high altitude balloons providing the local air temperature profile is known. A preliminary test program was conducted to evaluate the thermistor characteristics, to provide the necessary calibrations, and determine the possible measuring errors. Author

Descriptors:

• (*BALLOONS
• HIGH ALTITUDE)
• (*GASES
• TEMPERATURE)
• MEASUREMENT
• ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE
• MATHEMATICAL MODELS
• MOTION
• MATHEMATICAL PREDICTION
• HELIUM
• THERMISTORS
• CORRELATION TECHNIQUES
• FLIGHT PATHS

Subject Categories:

• Lighter-than-air Aircraft

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE