From: Spudboy100@aol.com
Date: Sun Jan 19 2003 - 17:02:38 MST
http://www.llnl.gov/str/November02/Pertica.html
<<High-Flying Instruments
Livermore’s sensors and cameras—as well as the instrumentation of other
organizations—fly in a retrofitted business jet known as a high-altitude
observatory (HALO). HALO flies at an altitude of about 14 kilometers, high
above the weather. At least one Lawrence Livermore scientist is onboard each
flight and must take Air Force high-altitude training before flying.
The HALO takes off from Reagan Test Range about 1 hour prior to the launch of
the target missile from Vandenberg. Once in the air, HALO remains within 650
to 900 kilometers of the interceptor missile, also launched from Reagan Test
Range, until the intercept occurs. A tracking mirror onboard the jet is
guided by ground-based radar and tracks the trajectory of the interceptor
missile.
The jet’s high altitude not only keeps it above the weather but also provides
for increased atmospheric transmission of infrared light. Many onboard
sensors, including several of Livermore’s, collect data in the infrared
wavelengths. The ROCSS telescopes collect light through a window specially
designed to transmit infrared light and channel it to the instruments via
fiber-optic lines...>>
This article also dovetails with a recent post of mine concerning
environmentally safer rocket fuel, which is discussed in the above article,
on rocket fuel impact for kinetic kill vehicles.
<<NASA TESTS ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ROCKET FUEL
http://amesnews.arc.nasa.gov/releases/2003/03_04AR.html
NASA has successfully tested an alternative rocket fuel that may increase
operational safety and reduce costs over current solid fuels. The new
paraffin-based fuel could eventually be used in Space Shuttle booster
rockets.
Two years of collaboration between Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif.,
and NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., have led to the
development of a non-toxic, easily handled fuel made from a substance similar
to what is used in common candles. The by-products of combustion of the new
fuel are carbon dioxide and water; unlike conventional rocket fuel that
produces aluminum oxide and acidic gasses, such as hydrogen chloride. >>
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