Accession Number:

AD0773966

Title:

Tests of Long Wire Deployment from Supersonic Rockets.

Descriptive Note:

Instrumentation papers,

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE CAMBRIDGE RESEARCH LABS L G HANSCOM FIELD MASS

Personal Author(s):

• Kalakowsky,Charles B.
• Hirst,George C.
• Lewis,Edward A.

Report Date:

1973-08-28

Pagination or Media Count:

37.0

Abstract:

The report covers preliminary studies undertaken to develop a technique for using ballistic missiles to tow long conducting wires into thunderclouds. This work was in support of experiments for artificially triggering lightning discharges in clouds. Some elementary, highly idealized mechanical properties of long wires are reviewed, and two approaches to high speed wire dispensing were chosen for experimentation. The mechanical configurations used are described in detail and the results of actual rocket tests at White Sands Missile Range are given. Author

Descriptors:

• *Artillery rockets
• *Lightning
• Sounding rockets
• Mechanical cables
• Deployment
• Conductivity

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics
• Rockets

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE