Aluminum oxide (A2O3) particles were collected from the space shuttle exhaust plume immediately following the launch of STS‐34 on October 18, 1989. A2O3 samples were obtained at 2.4, 3.0, 3.2, and 7.4 km in altitude. The samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy to develop particle size distributions. There were no indications that the particle size distribution changed as a function of altitude. The particle number concentrations per cubic meter of air sampled (Nc) for the four collections was found to fit the exponential expression Nc = (3.2×108) 10−0.89d, where d is particle diameter in micrometers, over the interval of 0.3–7 μm. The mass median diameter for this distribution occurred at about 4 μm.
Articles you may be interested inMeasuring atmospheric temperature and humidity for aircraft flyover noise testing J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 60, S112 (1976); 10.1121/1.2003097 Erratum: Total cross section measurements for the scattering of argon by aliphatic hydrocarbons Some effects of the atmosphere and microphone placement on aircraft flyover noise measurements An automated methane/total hydrocarbon analyzer was developed and flight tested that produced alternate methane/total hydrocarbon measurements every 7 s, providing the spatial resolution needed for regional hydrocarbon measurements at aircraft speeds. The sensitivity of the analyzer to oxygen and water vapor interference was characterized at appropriate concentrations. A technique to periodically measure atmospheric oxygen was determined to be necessary for accurate hydrocarbon measurements and incorporated into the analyzer. A data collection methodology was developed to minimize errors resulting from changes in flame ionization detector sensitivity at different altitudes (pressures). Selected aircraft data acquired during the 1979 Southeastern Virginia Urban Plume Study are presented to illustrate instrument performance. PACS numbers; 82.80. -d, 94. 10. Fa, 93.85. + q
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