Document Title : Inquiry into the Feasibility of Weather
Reconnaissance from a Satellite Vehicle,
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AD Number: ADA307104
Subject Categories: METEOROLOGY
Corporate Author: RAND CORP SANTA MONICA
CA
Title: Inquiry into the Feasibility of Weather Reconnaissance from
a Satellite Vehicle,
Personal Authors: Greenfield, S. M.; Kellogg, W. W.
Report Date: APR 51
Pages: 55 PAGES
Report Number: RAND/R-218
Monitor Acronym: XC
Monitor Series: USAF
Limitations: Availability:
Document partially illegible.
Descriptors: *METEOROLOGICAL DATA,
*METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITES, CLOUDS, WIND, WEATHER FORECASTING, FEASIBILITY
STUDIES, MILITARY APPLICATIONS, ALBEDO.
Identifiers: LPN-USAF-RR-!!
Abstract: It is assumed that, in the event of armed conflict, aerial weather
reconnaissance over enemy territory, similar to that obtained in World
War II, will be extremely difficult if not impossible. An alternative method of
obtaining this information, however, is thought to lie in the use of the
proposed satellite vehicle. It is obvious that any meteorological
reconnaissance utilizing only observations from such a high-altitude
'eye' cannot provide quantitative values for the parameters normally associated
with standard weather observation and forecasting techniques. in determining the
feasibility of such a system therefore, the questions that must be answered are:
(1) What extent of coverage can be expected from a satellite viewing system? (2)
In terms of resolution and contrast, what can be seen from the satellite? (3)
Given proper coverage and resolution, what can actually be determined regarding
the synoptic weather situation from this information? A current technical report
on the satellite proposes several possible flight altitudes between 350 and 500
mi. For the purpose of the present study, however, only the 350-mi altitude was
considered to any extent. At this altitude, a vehicle would have an orbital
velocity of about 24,870 ft/sec and would make one complete circuit of its orbit
in 1.6 hr. Assuming that any regressive motion of the satellite's orbit owing to
the spatial motion and oblate shape of the earth is corrected for, and that the
area it is desired to observe is in daylight during the vehicle passage for an
extended period, this area will be covered and televised in a grid fashion once
every 24 hr. It is visualized that, by means of mechanical scanning transverse
to the path of the satellite, a continuous strip whose width is equal in order
of magnitude to the altitude of the vehicle will be viewed.
Limitation Code:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE DOCUMENT PARTIALLY ILLEGIBLE
Source Code: 296600