Upper-atmosphere structure measurement made with the pitot-static tube

Abstract

Profiles of atmospheric pressure, density, and temperature for the region from 20 to 110 km above Fort Churchill, Canada, were computed from the data obtained during a single fall-day rocket flight. The temperature profile had a major maximum at 58 km, a secondary maximum at 82 km, and several minor maxima in the region from 20 to 55 km. During the same flight a horizontal-wind profile was obtained in the region from 80 to 115 km. Average wind speed was 125 m/sec, and the maximum wind speed was 250 m/sec at 115 km. The method of measurement, the problems encountered, and the results are discussed. Methods are prescribed for the use of the pitot-static tube for accurate synoptic atmospheric structure measurements from 20 to 80 km and for the measurement of semidiurnal pressure variations in the same region.