U.S. Rocket Test Series Called Success
U-M Involved In Correlating Data Reecived
FT. CHURCHILL, Man.
The director of a U. S. rocket 11 project today termed “highly successful” a series of tests climaxed this week when camera - bearing Nike - Cajun missile was lobbed into the ionosphere.
The seal of approval was given by Lt.-Col. L. G. Smith, director of the tests conducted for the past eight montha in connection with the International Geophysical Year (IGY)
Smith added, however, that the results would not be assessed fully until scientists of the State University of Iowa, the University of Michigan and co-operating government agencies have completed correlating data several months hence.
Three University teams last February test fired instrumented rockets at Ft. Churchill to altitudes of 60 to 100 miles.
The tests, which garnered a record amount of data on temperature, density pressure and winds. This data is now being analyzed at the U-M.
Photographed Earth
The camera sent up from this northern Manitoba military base Monday photographed the earth's horizon and cloud covering while floating down with the parachute-equipped rocket nose.
The camera was released after the missile reached the top of its trajectory some 80 miles up. On the way down it snapped pictures at the rate of two a second.
The nose cone was equipped with a homing device enabling searchers to locate it by radio beacon. A Canadian Air Force plane found the cone and camera 37 miles southeast of the launching site.
The Nike, like most of the 47 rockets launched here since the tests began last July, contained instruments to measure pressure, temperature, density and radiation in the upper atmosphere.
Seek Weather Information
Ultimate goal of the project is to obtain a greater understanding of the upper atmosphere where scientists say much of our weather originates.
The 47 missiles fired here to date have included 21 Nikes and 26 Aerobees. The Nike measures 14 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter. The Aerobee is 26 feet long and 15 inches thick. Highest altitude reached during the tests was 149 miles by an Aerobee last July.