Using Low Altitude Sounding Rockets for Eulerian Vertical Profiles of the Atmospheric Boundry Layer

Sounding rockets are well established for research into high altitude weather phenomenon; low altitude rocketry can be used for the study of the atmospheric boundary layer. Low cost low altitude sounding rockets on descent can provide Eulerian vertical data slices of the atmospheric boundary layer. Optimizing for this scaled approach, a sensor intake was developed to gather atmospheric data during rapid descent while mitigating solar and moisture effects. This study will focus on wind tunnel testing of the atmospheric sensor intake system to determine its effectiveness under descent conditions. The sensor will be hung from the shock cord of the sounding rocket during a rapid descent with the drogue chute deployed to allow for a more vertical profile of the atmosphere while still allowing safe recovery of the vehicle. Wind tunnel testing at the Oklahoma State Advanced Technologies research Center will allow for the sensor to be optimized before deployment on a sounding rocket.