Thu, May 19, 2011
Models Dropped From High-Altitude Balloons Record Sound
Levels
Swedish aerospace company SSC has developed and conducted an
advanced stratospheric balloon experiment to measure sonic booms on
behalf of the Japanese space organization JAXA. The experiment was
performed during two balloon flights with a first flight on May 7
and the second on May 16. The two drop tests were performed from
Esrange Space Center, SSC's operational base for launch
services.
Dr. Kenji Yoshida, Project Manager of D-SEND Project Team, said
the tests appear to have resulted in good data. "We are happy to
state that the performance of these complicated tests went
according to plan," says Mr. Mikael Toyra, Project Manager at
Esrange Space Center. "Each gondola released two heavy drop models
in quick succession, making SSC the first to drop such heavy
objects from a single balloon in sequence."
The D-SEND#1 experiment demonstrates a reduced sonic boom for
aircraft with a non-conventional shape by releasing drop models
from a high altitude (20-30 km) so that they reach supersonic
speeds and produce sonic booms. The drop models include electronics
that measure their motion, while a microphone system at lower
altitudes (0-1 km) records the sonic booms.
SSC's engineers developed the balloon gondola and four drop
models according to JAXA's specifications. Three of the drop bodies
were equipped with an inertial measurement system and onboard
telemetry system that downlinked real time data to the customer.
JAXA used their own developed recording system on ground with
microphones in the field.
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