Our research objective is to determine a system for measuring and processing rocket exhaust cloud data to produce information of sufficient quality for use in developing and validating dispersion models. In Phase I of this project, Geodynamics surveyed available sensor technology for obtaining observations of rocket plumes and software for its processing. We identified candidate instruments and software. Phase II will evaluate the effectiveness of various instruments including passive broad-band imagers, high-spectral resolution imaging radiometers and lidar to provide data resolution and accuracy to meet the above objective. We will utilize "proven" technology in a "new" application. We will complete the sensor analysis and trade studies that began in Phase I. We will then use the most appropriate sensor suite to image rocket exhaust clouds. The highest payoff at the lowest cost is achieved by conducting measurements in conjunction with ongoing Open Burning/Open Detonation of rocket engines at the Utah Test and Training Range. We will apply our expertise in data conditioning and extraction, gained through many years of sophisticated image processing, to extract and fuse multisensor data to obtain the highest resolution product. Three dimensional plume reconstruction software, already developed will be used to fully describe the rocket cloud.
