An Inexpensive Rocket Technique for Obtaining Low Level Wind Profiles

Abstract

An inexpensive, reusable, cold propellant (no fire) rocket has been adapted so a continuous smoke stream is emitted from the instant of launching to an altitude of 1200 ft. The smoke column is photographed simultaneously at 10-sec intervals by two cameras located 2000 ft from the launch site and at right angles to each other. Results are presented in terms of north?south and east?west components of the wind speed at any desired altitude to 1200 ft. A brief cost analysis is presented as evidence that the rocket technique is quite inexpensive relative to other systems in use today.