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Sounding Rockets Their Role in Space Research (1969) / Chapter Skim
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The Role of Sounding Rockets in Scientific Research
Pages 5-7

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From page 5...
... Here are the D, E, and part of the F regions of the ionosphere, characterized by complex chemical reactions in response to solar energy, the global electric current system, and the electrojets. Complicated physical processes in the magnetosphere focus energy into the auroral zone, where precipitating energetic particles, auroras, strong electric fields, electrojet currents, and enhanced ionization all give clues about the total magnetic storm and substorm process.
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From page 6...
... Study of this region from 40 to 200 km by means other than sounding rockets is constrained by the fact that balloons cannot attain altitudes greater than about 40 km and that satellites are not effective below about 200 km because of lifetime limitations. The advent of variable orbit satellites able to dip down to about l40 km, possible in the early l970's, would ameliorate the situation, but they will not be capable of instantaneous vertical profiles free of latitudinal and local time variations which are so important in the study of many parameters of interest in this region of space.
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From page 7...
... By comparison, these ground-based techniques provide poorer height determinations and vertical resolution. Scientifically instrumented balloons and aircraft in particular can play a similar role vis a vis rockets by providing data below levels sounded by rockets and overlapping, comparative data.
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Key Terms

  • vertical profiles
  • space astronomy
  • altitude range
  • experimental programs
  • rocket firings

  • six minutes
  • solar energy
  • sounding rocket
  • providing data
  • comparative data

  • instantaneous vertical
  • data sampling
  • temporary rocket
  • vertical transport
  • vertical resolution

  • rocket launch
  • true vertical
  • rocket data
  • data below
  • schedule rocket

  • rocket launching
  • instrumented aircraft
  • flight times
  • focus energy
  • variable orbit

  • attain altitudes
  • global studies
  • atmospheric composition
  • information accumulation
  • increasingly major


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