In Situ Measurements of Carbon Dioxide, 0.37-4.0 µm Particles, and Water Vapor in the Stratospheric Plumes of Small Rockets
Abstract
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and large particles (0.37-4.0 μm) were measured in the stratospheric plume wakes of three rockets, an Atlas IIAS, a Delta II, and an Athena II. The correlations between CO2 mass and particle number densities in each plume are consistent with the unique combination of solid and liquid engine emissions of each rocket. Measured size distributions indicate a 1.1 μm mode with density of 2 g cm-3, consistent with spherical alumina particles emitted by solid rocket motors. Disagreement between the measured size distributions and the mean sizes inferred from the known alumina and CO2 emission indices and an observed increase in the particle number emission index with altitude are evidence for large particle oversampling effects and the presence of condensed volatile compounds within the particle population. Direct evidence for the latter is a persistent ~0.5-1 part per million (ppm) shortfall of water vapor relative to CO2 measured in the plume of the Athena II rocket based on the expected H2O/CO2 emission ratio. Although pure ice particles would not persist at the conditions of the measurements, a more stable coating of HNO3 (as either nitric acid trihydrate or as a liquid layer) could have reduced the sublimation rate of the underlying ice, thereby increasing the lifetimes of volatile particles within the plume. If confirmed, such a process would have important implications for the radiative and chemical properties of rocket plumes, including global ozone depletion associated with rocket launch activities.
Recommended Citation
A. M. Gates and L. M. Avallone and D. W. Toohey and A. P. Rutter and P. D. Whitefield and D. E. Hagen and A. R. Hopkins and M. N. Ross and P. F. Zittel and T. L. Thompson and R. L. Herman and R. R. Friedl, "In Situ Measurements of Carbon Dioxide, 0.37-4.0 µm Particles, and Water Vapor in the Stratospheric Plumes of Small Rockets," Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 107, no. 22, pp. AAC 8-1 - AAC 8-10, American Geophysical Union (AGU), Nov 2002.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1029/2002JD002121
Department(s)
Chemistry
Second Department
Physics
Keywords and Phrases
Alumina; Atmospheric chemistry; Carbon dioxide; Correlation theory; Gas emissions; Sublimation; Upper atmosphere; Volatile organic compounds; Carbon dioxide; water vapor
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0148-0227
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2002 American Geophysical Union (AGU), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Nov 2002
