FEASIBILITY EXPERIMENT FOR MEASURING ATMOSPHERIC DENSITY THROUGH THE ALTITUDE RANGE OF 60 TO 100 KILOMETERS OVER WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE

An experiment to determine a feasible method for measuring atmospheric density with reasonable accuracy and reliability through the altitude range of 60 to 100 kilometers over White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, was initiated. The experiment involved four soundings utilizing the accelerometer 7-in. falling sphere. All were successful, and data were obtained at altitudes in excess of 100 km in every case. The density data, with the derived temperature and pressure data, are presented. It has been demonstrated that highaltitude atmospheric density measurements can be made in the vicinity of 100 km reliably and with an estimated maximum error of = 5%. (Author)