A discussion on D and E region winds over Europe - A payload for small sounding rockets for wind finding and density measurements in the height region between 95 and 75 km

Abstract

The development of a simple sensor to measure high altitude winds and air densities in the height region between 95 and 75 km is described. The sensor uses a very light, bandlike chaff which allows rather low descent velocities of the sensor. This low descent velocity increases the number of radar data per height interval appreciably and therefore the overall accuracy. The results of wind and density measurements taken in November 1968 and winter 1969/70 are presented together with average temperatures derived from the fall rate observations, and some results were compared with the diurnal variation of radio-wave absorption observed on the launching site. Some aspects of the limitations of the method and its accuracy are discussed.