Abstract
Abstract The attitude of a sounding rocket launched in the DELTA (Dynamics and Energetics of the Lower Thermosphere in Aurora) campaign was determined with IR horizon sensors and geomagnetic sensors. Since the payload was separated into two portions, two sets of attitude sensors were needed. A new IR sensor was developed for the present experiment, and found the zenith-angle of the spin-axis of the rocket with an accuracy of 2°. By combining information obtained by both type of sensors, the absolute attitudes were determined. The auroral green line emission rate was measured by a photometer on board the same rocket launched under active auroral conditions, and the energy flux of the auroral particle precipitation was estimated.
Highlights
In the data processing for a rocket experiment, it is usually needed to know the attitude of the rocket
A sort of star-sensor is usually used for a nighttime rocket experiment, IR horizon sensors were chosen for the present experiment because of the auroral contaminations
It is seen in the figure that the daughter payload started a fast precession with a period of 8.7 sec just after the separation at 100 sec
Summary
In the data processing for a rocket experiment, it is usually needed to know the attitude of the rocket. Geomagnetic sensors on board the mother and daughter payloads determined the angle between the rocket spin-axis and the geomagnetic line of force (hereafter called mag-angle).
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