The use of GPS arrays in detecting shock-acoustic waves generated during rocket launchings

This paper is concerned with the parameters of shock-acoustic waves (SAW) generated during rocket launchings. We have developed the interferometric method for determining SAW parameters (including angular characteristics of the wave vector, and the SAW phase velocity, as well as the direction towards the source) using GPS-arrays. Contrary to the conventional radio-probing techniques, the proposed method provides an estimate of SAW parameters without a priori information about the site and time of a rocket launching. The application of the method is illustrated by a case study of ionospheric effects from launchings of rockets PROTON, SOYUZ and SPACE SHUTTLE from Baikonur and Kennedy Space Center cosmodromes in 1998-2000. In spite of a difference of rocket characteristics, the ionospheric response for all launchings had the character of an N-wave corresponding to the form of a shock wave. The SAW period T is 270-360 s, and the amplitude exceeds the standard deviation of total electron content background fluctuations in this range of periods under quiet and moderate geomagnetic conditions by factors of 2-5 as a minimum. The angle of elevation of the SAW wave vector varies from 30 degrees to 60 degrees, and the SAW phase velocity (900-1200 m/s) approaches the sound velocity at heights of the ionospheric F-region maximum. The position of the SAW source, inferred by neglecting refraction corrections, corresponds to the segment of the rockets path at a distance no less than 200-900 km from the launch pad, and to the rocket flying altitude no less than 100 km. Our data are consistent with the existing view that SAW are generated during a nearly horizontal flight of the rocket with its engine in operation in the acceleration segment of the path at 100-130 km altitudes in the lower atmosphere. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.