ROCKET MOTOR PLUME EFFECTS ON TM SIGNALS - MODEL CORROBORATION

Abstract

This paper presents the interim results of an effort to corroborate analytic model predictions of the effects of rocket motor plume on telemetry signal RF propagation. When space is available, telemetry receiving stations are purposely positioned to be outside the region of a rocket motor's plume interaction with the RF path; therefore, little historical data has been available to corroborate model predictions for specific rocket motor types and altitudes. RF signal strength data was collected during the flight of HERA target missile by White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) using a transportable telemetry receiving site specifically positioned to be within the rocket plume region of influence at intermediate altitudes. The collected data was analyzed and compared to an RF plume attenuation model developed for pre-mission predictions. This work was directed by the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA)/ Kwajalein Missile Range (KMR) Safety Division.