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Results for “NIKE ROCKET”

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At least 19 records

Near noise field characteristics of Nike rocket motors for application to space vehicle payload acoustic qualification

Results of a series of noise measurements that were made under controlled conditions during the static firing of two Nike solid propellant rocket motors are presented. The usefulness of these motors as sources for general spacecraft noise testing was assessed, and the noise expected in the cargo bay of the orbiter was reproduced. Brief descriptions of the Nike motor, the general procedures utilized for the noise tests, and representative noise data including overall sound pressure levels, one third octave band spectra, and octave band spectra were reviewed. Data are presented on two motors of different ages in order to show the similarity between noise measurements made on motors having different loading dates. The measured noise from these tests is then compared to that estimated for the space shuttle orbiter cargo bay.

Hilton, D. A.

X-ray scanning of overhead aurorae from rockets

Two Nike Tomahawk rocket payloads were launched into energetic auroral events in September, 1976 to investigate the structure of these events, as well as their effects on the atmosphere. X-ray scintillation detectors with energy discrimination in four ranges were used to measure the deposition of bremsstrahlung produced X-rays within the stratosphere and mesosphere. Iterative computer techniques were used to reconstruct X-ray source maps at 100 km, taking atmospheric absorption effects into account. Payload 18.178 was launched on September 21st into an aurora having two distinct azimuthal regions of optical brightness. The X-ray scanner detected the same features, and overlays of the X-ray source maps on all-sky photographs showed spatial coincidence of the X-ray with optical features at the lower energies (below 40 keV). Payload 18.179 was launched September 23rd into an aurora with a more diffuse character. The optical structure did not coincide as well with the measured X-ray structure. There was also an indication of a two-component spectrum for each event, with the hard component originating in the more diffuse, optically faint regions.

Barcus, J. R.

Effects of experimentally measured pressure oscillations on the vibration of a solid rocket motor

Results are presented of firing a Nike rocket against a backstop for the purpose of obtaining pressure fluctuations in the rocket case and determining their relationship to structural vibrations of the case. Special care was required to obtain these pressure fluctuations because of the much higher static pressure generated in the rocket. Very small pressure fluctuations within the rocket case can cause significant vibration levels. A previously observed high frequency was shown to decrease with time before completely disappearing at about 1 second of burning time. The vibration of the case itself is probably related to the longitudinal structural modes at frequencies below 500 Hz and is dependent on local structural conditions at frequencies above this value.

Schoenster, J. A.

Comparison of vibrations of a combination of solid-rocket launch vehicle and payload during a ground firing and launching

The results of a study into the environmental vibrations of a payload mounted on the Nike rocket launch vehicle were presented. Data were obtained during the flight acceptance test of the payload, the firing of the total vehicle in a special test stand, and the powered and unpowered flights of the vehicle. The vibrational response of the structure was measured. Data were also obtained on the fluctuating pressure on the outside surface of the vehicle and inside the forward and after ends of the rocket chamber. A comparison of the data from the three test conditions indicated that external pressure fluctuations were the major source of vibrations in the payload area, and pressure fluctuations within the rocket motor were the major source of vibrations contiguous to the payload area.

Schoenster, J. A.

Spectrophotometry of planetary atmosphere from the X-15 rocket airplane

Nike-Apache and Nike-Tomahawk rocket flights using spectrophotometric techniques to investigate auroral activity are reported. The specific objectives were to obtain data relative to typical auroral situations, including quiet pre-breakup auroras, westward traveling surges, breakup auroras, and post-breakup auroras. It was found that excited atoms move considerable distances between excitation and emission owing to the high velocity wind conditions prevailing above 200 km. Based on the results of these observations, recommendations are made for future studies of ionized atmospheric activity at higher altitudes.

Murcray, W. B.

Rocket propagation experiment

Electron densities and collision frequencies from Nike-Apache rocket firings, results of eclipse experiment in South America, and instrumentation for rocket propagation studies

ELECTRON DENSITY

Flight Investigation of the Performance of a Two-stage Solid-propellant Nike-deacon (DAN) Meteorological Sounding Rocket

A flight investigation of two Nike-Deacon (DAN) two-stage solid-propellant rocket vehicles indicated satisfactory performance may be expected from the DAN meteorological sounding rocket. Peak altitudes of 356,000 and 350,000 feet, respectively, were recorded for the two flight tests when both vehicles were launched from sea level at an elevation angle of 75 degrees. Performance calculations based on flight-test results show that altitudes between 358,000 feet and 487,000 feet may be attained with payloads varying between 60 pounds and 10 pounds.

MISSILES, SPECIFIC TYPES