SECTION 1.
Preparations1.1 PersonnelBruce Henderson was assigned the function of CLO by AAW. Area control
was assigned to AAC.
1.2 NumberingThe scheduled launch of a flare release module was cancelled due to
the payload not being ready in time. Other launches were re-arranged from
the designation in the Trial Specification so where any inconsistency arises
in the description of the items launched, this report is to prevail.
The final schedule was as follows:-
| Number | Module Configuration | Description of Payload | Purpose of Launch | | 981004-Z18A | ZPM2.2 (Long) | Infra-red (IR) flare and launcher system | CANCELLED | | 981004-Z19 | ZPM2 (Long) | Spring mass accelerometer | Experiment 1 | | 981004-Z20 | ZPM2.2 (Long) | Bonded specimens | Experiment 2 | | 981004-Z21 | ZPM2 (Long) | Batteries and halogen lamps | Experiment 3 |
Section 2.
Trial Operations2.1 Arrival and PreparationPersonnel arrived at Woomera on the morning of 3 October 1998. Payload
personnel proceeded straight to LA9 for preparation of the modules. The
remaining personnel had lunch at ELDO with representatives of Astrotech
(USA) and other companies.
The Pre Trial Briefing was conducted at LA9 during the afternoon with
ASRI personnel and selected guests only. This was found to be more satisfactory
than previous PTB's.
Preparation of payloads took personnel well into the evening to complete.
In the future, if personnel intend to stay at LA9 for extended periods
after dark, their intentions should be communicated to at least the DSCW
gate personnel to avoid unnecessary concerns.
The non payload personnel met with the IEAust contingent, Kistler personnel
and others for dinner Saturday evening.
Departure for LA9 was scheduled for 0630 on Sunday 4 October 1998. Personnel
arrived at LA9 with the motors at about 0730. The motor modifications took
about 30 minutes for the first one and then about 20 minutes each thereafter.
Final preparation of the site, payloads and the motor igniter modifications
took until about 0930. After the securing of ordinance the public contingent,
numbering 79 persons, was permitted to inspect LA9 for about 30 minutes
before being cleared at about 1000.
It then took about 30 minutes to complete site preparations and to secure
for hazardous operations. Integration of the first payload module and preparation
took a further 60 minutes, so launch sequence for the first launch was
not entered until about 1130.
In the future, more time should be allowed in the schedule for preparation.
We should also further examine ways of reducing the time that the public
has to wait between inspecting the site and the first launch, or do away
with the pre launch inspection altogether in favor of an inspection the
day before or after launches.
All components were numbered and the tail end of each motor painted
day-glow pink. These measures were of significant assistance during recovery
operations.
2.2 WeatherOnce again near perfect conditions were enjoyed.
 The weather at 0900 at LA9 consisted of clear skies and little wind.
The breeze was 0 to 5 knots throughout the day and gradually swung from
east through to north between about 1030 and 1130.
The Woomera bureau of Meteorology confirmed from the 0830 balloon that
the wind strengths up to 5000 metres were well within the prescribed limits.
Air temperature at ground level was approximately 20 degrees.
Section 3.
Launches3.1 DescriptionThree launches were conducted. All systems (ground based and airborne)
operated flawlessly.
Audio and visual phenomena observed were recorded by loud calls from
the pad personnel, which were recorded onto the audio track of the pad
general camera, enabling exact times to be determined. From this data distances
and operation can be calculated. The importance of this practice needs
to be encouraged and reinforced in the future.
No motor impacts were observed. However, all parachutes were readily
spotted and tracked to touchdown. The black and white parachutes were found
to be more visible in the air and during recovery operations than the red,
yellow and white.
3.2 Data3.2.1 Z18AZ18A was cancelled prior to the campaign being commenced due to the
proposed payload experiment not being ready.
3.2.2 Z19The following data was recorded for Z19:-
| Event | Time | Elapsed | | Liftoff | 1142.29 | 0 | | Audio report (distant bang) | 1143.34 | 1.05 | | Audio report (distant bang) | 1143.41 | 1.12 | | Audio report (distant bang but louder and longer) | 1143.46 | 1.17 | | Sighted red, yellow and white parachute 10 deg above horizon,
bearing 266 true (ATM) | 1145.24 | 2.55 | | Touchdown | 1145.57 | 3.28 | GPS Positioning
Motor S30 54.534 E136
25.120
Payload S30 54.501 E136 25.219
Ballute not recovered |
The outcome of the experiment carried is to be the subject of a separate
report.
3.2.3 Z20The following data was recorded for Z20:-
| Event | Time | Elapsed | | Liftoff | 1237.28 | 0 | | Audio report (distant bang) | 1238.38 | 1.10 | | Sighted black and white parachute 30 deg above horizon,
bearing 267 true (ATM) | 1238.50 | 1.22 | | Touchdown | 1241.21 | 3.53 | GPS Positioning
Motor S30 54.473 E136 25.312
Payload S30 54.505 E136 25.281 |
The outcome of the experiment carried is to be the subject of a separate
report.
3.2.4 Z21The following data was recorded for Z21:-
| Event | Time | Elapsed | | Liftoff | 1336.02 | 0 | | Audio report (distant bang) | 1337.13 | 1.11 | | Audio report (distant bang but louder and longer) | 1337.19 | 1.17 | | Sighted black and white parachute 30 deg above horizon,
bearing 267 true (ATM) | 1337.25 | 1.23 | | Sighted ballute descending 100 m to south and 100m higher
than main chute, descending at about twice the rate. | 1338.31 | 2.29 | | Ballute impact | 1339.26 | 3.24 | | Touchdown | 1339.36 | 3.34 | GPS Positioning
Motor S30 54.488 E136 25.121
Payload S30 54.478 E136 25.166 |
The outcome of the experiment carried is to be the subject of a separate
report.
SECTION 4.
RecoveryAll items were located and recovered within a circle of about 200 metres
in diameter, except for the ballute from Z19. A further search will be
conducted and the expended motors removed with suitable extraction machinery
in due course.
The payload module from Z2 that was not able to be found during the
June 1998 Campaign was also located and recovered. The rear of the payload
casing was approximately 10 cm beneath the surface but the ballute lay
on the surface. The position of Z2 payload module was:-
S 30 54 51.2
E 136 25 58.2
Section 5.
SummaryThe trials were conducted without incident and all systems performed
as intended.
Section 6.
Improvements-
Scheduling and delays before first launch
-
Possible updating of the SOP to include painting tails of motors etc
-
Earlier documentation and construction of flight hardware
-
Analysis of ballistics data
-
Analysis of recovered hardware
-
Use of black and white parachutes in the future
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