USASRDL Upper-Air Research with Rockets

The evolution of the velocity-of-sound rocket experiment to measure temperatures, wind speed and direction, and densities at elevations 30 to 80 kilometers is described. Rocket soundings of the atmosphere were made at three locations: White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico; Fort Churchill, Canada; and Guam. Results from White Sands and Fort Churchill are presented. Miniaturization of the equipment and changes in techniques resulted in an all-weather capability which is enabling meteorological agencies to formulate plans to carry out synoptic meteorological and other interesting investigations, using for the first time in the history of meteorology the rocket as a routine instrument carrier. The tracking of X or S band by radars to determine high-elevation winds is described briefly.