Atmospheric Characterization On The Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility

Keywords

Atmospheric turbulence; Beam breakup; Plenoptic sensor; Refractive index structure parameter; Scintillation index; Wavefront sensing

Abstract

Large temperature gradients are a known source of strong atmospheric turbulence conditions. Often times these areas of strong turbulence conditions are also accompanied by conditions that make it difficult to conduct long term optical atmospheric tests. The Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) provides a prime testing environment that is capable of generating strong atmospheric turbulence yet is also easily accessible for well instrumented testing. The Shuttle Landing Facility features a 5000 m long and 91 m wide concrete runway that provides ample space for measurements of atmospheric turbulence as well as the opportunity for large temperature gradients to form as the sun heats the surface. We present the results of a large aperture LED scintillometer, a triple aperture laser scintillometer, and a thermal probe system that were used to calculate a path averaged and a point calculation of Cn 2. In addition, we present the results of the Plenoptic Sensor that was used to calculate a path averaged Cn 2 value. These measurements were conducted over a multi-day continuous test with supporting atmospheric and weather data provided by the University of Central Florida.

Publication Date

1-1-2017

Publication Title

Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

Volume

10408

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2276297

Socpus ID

85038899414 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85038899414

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