[AR] Re: Spin stabilized rocket
- From: Norman Yarvin <yarvin@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 25 Dec 2018 21:54:49 -0500
On Mon, Dec 24, 2018 at 09:07:09PM -0500, Henry Spencer wrote:
In fact, they say: "...the reality is that sensor range is probably less
than 1 mile. Therefore, it does not really "see" the horizon. It sees the
average temperature profile all around and inside of 1 mile to determine
level attitude..." So, how well does this work when there's nothing but air
within 1 mile, or 10 miles, in all directions?
Well, there's still a temperature gradient, so more thermal IR coming
up from below than down from above, so the task is still possible in
theory. (Yes, in the stratosphere, the temperature gradient reverses,
but by the time you get that high the air is so thin that the quoted
mile of range will have vastly expanded.) The earth is still warm
relative to space when you're in orbit. Still, this particular device
is sold for model aircraft use, not for rocketry, so (as Derek already
mentioned) it's unlikely to handle aerodynamic heating well. Even if
it didn't melt, the heating would confuse it.
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