PROPOSED OBSERVATIONS OF THE MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03642A001300030071-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 2, 2012
• Sequence Number: 71
• Publication Date: January 26, 1959
• Content Type: REPORT

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PROPOSED OBSERVATIONS
OF THE MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE
by
Malcolm D. Ross
Office of Naval Research
Presented at the
lAS 27th Annual Meeting
New York, New York
January 26-29,1959
IAS Report
No. 59-9
Member Price - - - - $0.50
Nonmember Price - $1.00
Published through courtesy of the
Shan M. Fairchild Publication Fund
INSTITUTE OF THE AERONAUTICAL SCIENCES
2 EAST 64th SIREET
000 0E DATE OY
41161900 ON TXIt
owe ELA=f/y-L PAGES ~t X11 . -
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Proposed Observations, of the Martian Atmosphere*
by
Malcolm D. Ross
Office of Naval Research
1. Introduction
At a joint session of the 1958 Annual Meetings of the Institute
of Aeronautical Sciences and the American Meteorological Society a paper
was presented., and subsequently published,l as a detailed report of Navy
manned balloon flight designated Strato-Lab High #2. That paper also
reviewed the Strato-Lab program and discussed the capability of the
manned-balloon for research related to the exploration of space. As
a specific example measurements of the Martian atmosphere proposed
by Professor John Strong of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.,
Maryland, were described in a general fashion.
When this paper was requested by personnel of the Vitro Laboratories, it
was envisioned initially that it would be a flight report of the first
stratospheric attempt by people to make an atmospheric measurement of the
planet Mars. Unfortunately, due to failure of the balloon durina inflation,
the planned observation has been postponed. In view of this a brief status
report of this phase of the program will be presented and an indication
of the future.
2. Background of Proposed Strato'Lab Observations of Mars
Professor Stro ges proposal for Strato-Lab research specified an initial
objective would be a spectrographic analysis of the planetary atmosphere of
Mars. Experimentally, during two separate flights, he proposed to determine
the content of water vapor and oxygen. When his proposal was accepted for
joint support by the Office of .vaval Research and the National Science Founda-
tion, his preliminary system design advanced to a detailed design study and
was soon followed by a developmental phase. In parallel with the Johns
Hopkins University effort the Office,of Naval Rebearch contracted with
Winzen Research Incorporated, Minneapolis, Minnesota, to integrate the
ultimate "Strong" system with the Strato==Lab gondola, make tests and
system changes necessary for successful conduct of the experimental flights,,
provide balloons and associated equipment, and launch the flights desired.
* Prepared for presentation at the 27th annual meeting of the Institute
of Aeronautical Sciences, 26-29 January 1959, New York, New York.
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- Early in 1958, the-a:fnr?c. Winzen Research Incorporated was working
on engineering problems t'ri ated to integration of the complete system and
the operational aspects o. the first flight which was ocheduled for November
1958. The Johns Hopkins Unt versity P-^d its subcontractors had frozen most
design aspects and were engaged in the, development of components. The
able companies associated with the Jol.rs Hopkins University, and their areas
of responsibility, were: Ferson Optical Company, Incorporated, Ocean
Spr Ln ;s, Mississippi, development of the Schmidt ref Lectirg telescor i
. .?h 16-inch primary mirror; Librascope, Incorporated, Glendale, California,
development of an ingenious star tracker for use in initial manual acquisition
of the Mars image, then "lock on" with automatic tracking; and the Farrand
Optical Company -nn., New York 70, New York, which built the special
Ebert type spectrograph. The latter employs four large gratings which were
ruled on machines at the Johns Hopkins University.
It was apparent, however, that there were numerous areas of uncertainty.
Photographic plates to record the data, for instance, were eventually replaced
with a photomultiplier system which was sensitive in the infrared region of
the spectrum. Other areas needed flight evaluation to determine the complete
compatibility of the balloon system and Professor Strong's equipment for
the November flight. Strato-Lab High #3, therefore, was conducted on 26-27
July 1958 as a system test.
3, Areas Investigated on S'urato Lab High #3
Of secondary importan^et there were a number of measurements and experiments
conducted which were unrelated to the Strong system. Of primary importance
were the tests and evaluations conducted which werq directly related to
determination of feasibility of the system for use by Professor Strong and
his instrumentation. In outline form these general areas are listed:
a. Gondola Environment
(1) Insulation-determine if temperature range is
adequate for flight at night,
(2) atmosphere-determine -omfort of personnel
through use of sea level atmospheric pressure9
adequacy of air regeneration techniques to
control moisture and C02? and
(3) use of pressure suits-make modified use of
partial pressure suits to achieve comfort at
altitude by removal of helmet and associated
components*
b. Gondola Stability
(1) Rigging and suspension-determ -J ecl),a,c-r of
multi-point suspension and new rig'---;g to aeccmr!aodate
telescopes and
(2) motions-obtain quantitative ii._ . rmation re, t di-,%
actual rotation arnu swi.n ;, 4 f ,ndola to dete~,mi ie
adequacy of sys te^ .
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c. Operational Aspects
(1) Balloon control-test adequacy of available
ballast to maintain level flight during night,,
(2) Balloon vehicle- conduct another flight test
of 1PRI 2x106 ft.5 balloon with a very heavy
load, and
(5) Launch and recovery-demonstrate capability
to launch, track and recover a long duration
flight.
A comprehensive report2 of Strato-Lab High #5 will soon be issed by
the flight contractor, In addition two papers have been presented a44 which
have treated specific areas of interest. In summary, however, here are
flight results which were pertinent to the Strong systems
as Gondola 3nvirornent-the system changes, made
as a result of personnel discomfort on Strato-Lab
High #2,, were quite satisfactory. Since the flight
duration was 54 hours and 40 minutes, it was believed
the test was rigorous and adequateo
be Gondola Stabili*-analysis of the film records
obtained by the Johns Hopkins University star
camera were quite disappointing because of the
character and rate of motions detected,
o. Operational aspects-oontrol of the balloon
for level flight after ivaet was inadequate
due to an electronic failure which prevented
the use of battery ballast. Although the balloon
vehicle performed satisfactorily it was determined
during the flight that the load (over 5500 pounds)
was not to be exceeded because of a visible stress
concentration. It was also recognized that certain
techniques and components related to the launch and
landing of the aerostat could be improved substantially.
4. Considerations and System Changes
A. Gondola Environment-in this area no major changes
were required because of the personnel comfort enjoyed
during flight. One minor engineering modification
was required to assure no spillage of the highly
caustic chemical residue on landing.
be Gondola Stability- a large agiount of attention
was devoted to this area because of the
motions recorded, It was believed, however, that
the inability to discharge proper ballast when desired
(so that the balloon slowly descended 109000 feet,
then slowly reached ceiling altitude again), and
deliberate motions of the personnel inside accounted
for most of the instability noted. Indeed, during
late night when the balloon was back at floating
altitude and the personnel wire sleeping, motions
were recorded which were canpatible with the Strong
$--stem. This area of investigations was headed by
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Dr S. G. Reedy Jr,,, of the Office of Naval Research,
and Mr. Jarus Quinn, consult&nt to Winzen Research.
The motions were analyzed an4l model balloon tests
conducted to acquire additi 1 information. In
test of the complete gondo suspended in the
aippodrome of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds the
natural rotational period of the gondola was determined,
It was also discovered that a rather high frequency
"squiggle" motion recorded was not real. The camera
had been mounted on the gondola undercarriage, which
was not a fixed part of the gondola., and the disturbing:
motions came from this and the floor insiteo The or..
change was to introduce steel cables for the lower
portion of the suspension system. Power requirements
were reviewed and., through a combination of silvercell
and lead storage batteries, the amount of available
"dribble" ballast was increased.
(c) Operational Aspects-it was recognized that greater
attention must be given to the meteorological forecast
situation. Load reduction on the balloon was also
considered highly desirable (when ready for flight
the load was 3249 pounds). Use of the Stratobowl
near Rapid City., South Dakota, would allow greater
maneuverability than the confined iron mine at Crosby,
Minnesota.
5. Preparation for Launch
The telescope system arrived from Baltimore mounted in a trailer. This
allowed the complete system to be checked out and tested in a physical arrange-
ment which allowed access for changes prior to installation in the gondola.
Professor Strong and his scientific teams solved several problems which arose
and were delighted with the tests they ran on their equipment. '
Transfer of the delicate optical system from the trailer to the gondola
was accomplished with a large crane made available by the nearby Ellsworth
Air Force Base. Soon after the transfer was made the Johns Hopkins University
personnel made necessary adjustments to their equipment, installation of control
boxes was accomplished by Winzen personnel., and flight day began to-,draw closer.
The weather was not fully cooperative. One of the meteorological
surprises was the direction of the stratospheric winds at the planned floating
altitude of about 82,000 feet. Instead of the normal winter time west winds
the Stratobowl (and most of the country) was under the influence of a
quirk by Nature which resulted in easterly winds above 70,000 feet during
most of November. East winds at altitude of course, would take the balloon
toward the Rocky Mountains which were west of the Stratobowl.
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The period of waiting allowed time for excellent test's of the gondola
system and complete tests of the telescope system. Confidence in ultimate
experimental success increased with each test. One tests in particular.,
was a reasonable simulation of the flight situation. During this test the
gondola was suspended from the crane and swinging on the steel cable supper-:.&.
On the particular night of this test (18 November) it way; quite -;-A
the Stratobowl. Even though the gondola rotated and oscillated considerably
because of the wind,, there was no difficulty in making acquisition of Mars.,
then shifting to automatic control with the fantastically accurate (1 second of
are) Librascope star tracker, and obtaining spectra.
The signal-to-noise ratio of the system was also better than anticipated.
It was this fact which would have allowed success up to the first of
December or later.
Finally, after deciding to modify the flight profile and o?ride' the
strong westerly winds between 50_,000 -and '09000 feet on descent to assure
a trajectory toward the east and a favorable landing areas marginal metecrol,ogi-
cal conditions prevailed on 26 November.
Prior to inflation a delay was encountered due to a faulty microswitch
in one of the two valves on top of the balloon. Aside from this,, and a
slight wind which gave initial trouble during inflation, everything appeared.
satisfactory. Dr. Strong and I entered the gondola about 15 minutes before
inflation of the balloon was to be completed. We were well along on our
preflight check list when we received the news that the balloon had ruptured
and we got out.
The total gross inflation,, including balloon, gondola,, and free lift.,
was to have been 5000 pounds. At the time of rupture the total inflation
was 4100 pounds, considerably less than the 5500 pound gross :inflation
of Strato-Lab High #3.
The failure was determined to be a split in the material of some 40
feet or more in length at the top of the balloon and was immediately
adjacent to a heat sealed seam. Other than a possible correlation with
the cold temperature in the Stratobowl (about 1OF) cause of the failure
was unknown.
Because of the unknown reason(s) for the failure Captain L. P. Pressler, USN,
Scientific Officers decided to postpone the flight until an objective analysis
of the balloon could be made.
6. Evaluation of Balloon Failure
Although balloon postmortems are seldom conclusive the balloon which
split at Rapid City has been subjected to three independent tests and as
much data as feasible collected. Tests were conducted by General Mills,,
Inc., Minneapolis, Winzen Tesearch Inc.,, and the Visking Corporations, Ch sago.
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Results of the tests indicated that the materials itself was comparab.e
other polyethylene used for balloons and met military specification3.
Conclusions regarding the failure indicate that a combination of factor
probably contributed. The ambient cold temperature causes a degradition
in the capability of the material to resist tear propagation. The heat
seal." in the balloon were weak, only about 70% of material strength, and
A.ele:tie tests indicate a marked tendency for failure along the same edge
i the seal as in the balloon which failed. Unknown factors are transient
lateral stresses which occurred during the heavy load inflation. One
cannot overlook the fact that this same balloon type has been successfully
flown with heavier loads in warm weather. Thus the correlation with
low temperatures seems important.
7. Future Use of the Strong System
Although Professor Strong has not been consulted on this point it
appears there are two types of exnprimenta within the capability of his
equipment. One type of measurement would be daytime use for investigation
of the solar spectrum in a *egion of the infrared where data are lac%iug.
The second type are the Martian atmosphere measurements and similar planetary
or lunar observations which must be conducted at night.
For the daytime measurements it should be possible to combine an overall
reduction in the load (no requirement for sunset ballast), with summertime
warm temperature. An incremental improvement in balloon manufacture
(improved seal strength) and a modest series of tests could result in an
early flight for solar work.
To assure a satisfactory heavy load balloon, capable of night observations
and cold temperature inflations, however, it appears that a developmental
program is required. A heavy load balloon is not presently available to
satisfy the stringent requirements.
8. Conclusions
In parallel with the current investigation by the Vitro Laboratories
it appears that a fundamental approach must be initiated to assure that
appropriate balloon vehicles are available. This must be approached in
an objective manner on a long range basis.
The manned high altitute balloon has not yet been demonstrated as
feasible for precise astronomical and astrophysical measurements. Based
on the experience of the Strato-Lab program, however, it is my opinion that
investigations of this nature are not only feasible but that the future
holds great promise for the manned balloon in extra-terrewrial observatio~rs.
It is hoped that the excellent system devised by Progessor Strong will
demonstrate this feasibility in the very near future.
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9.
References
1.
Ross, M. D. and Lewis, M. L.s The Role of Manned Balloons in the
Exploration of Space. Aero/Space Engineer, Vol. 17, p. 45, August, 1958.
2.
Staff personnel. Technical Report of Strato-Lab High #5.
In preparation by Winzen Research Inc.
5.
Roes, M. D.s A Comparison of Artificial Environments Used in
Sealed Cabins During Flights into the Stratosphere, unpublished.
Presented at a joint session of the American Physiological Society
and the American Astronautical Society in conjunction with the 125th
Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science, 26-31 December 1958, Washington, D. C.
4.
Ross, M. D.: High Clouds Observed in the Stratosphere at Sunset.
Unpublished. Presented at the 39th Annual Meeting of the American
Meteorological Society, 26-29 January 1959, New York, New York.
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