SanSal Objective

SITE OBJECTIVE

  • Provide accurate position and rate information on long-range missiles shot downrange.
     
  • Calculate the Impact Prediction (IP) for Range Safety, a prime contractual requirement for the operation of the Atlantic Missile Range (AMR).
     
  • Provide a missile destruct signal to the Air Force Range Safety Officer for destruction of an out-of-control missile. At no time would any missile be shot downrange without redundant backup of the prime guidance/range safety at Cape Canaveral: Guided Missile Control Facility #1 (GMCF #1).


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The System Components and purpose:

SYSTEMS: Communication with the Cape on all operations. Maintenance of the waveguides (4 miles), air conditioning, cryptography system, instrument calibration and maintenance, and shop facilities.

TRACK: Determine the position of the missile/payload in Azimuth, Elevation and Range 10 times per second. Provide this information at an accuracy of .00137 degrees for azimuth and elevation and 2.5 yards in range (range of 3000 miles).

RATE: Determine the velocity of the missile/payload in Pitch, Yaw and Slant Rate 10 times per second. Provide this information at an accuracy of 50 feet per second (out of 12,000 mph)

DATA/RECORD: Provide the interface between Track and Rate to Flight Data, Burroughs Computer. Provide redundant backup recording of the data on magnetic tape.

DATA/EXERCISE (SIMULATOR): Operate the transponder on the Boresight tower to exercise the functions of Track and Rate

FLIGHT DATA: Record all critical system parameter and flight records on magnetic tape, Sanborn analog recorders and Teledeltos digital recorders .

BURROUGHS COMPUTER: From the 6 parameters of position and rate, calculate the predicted impact of the missile/payload at any instant of thrust termination of the booster or sustainer. Plot the data on an X/Y recorder and provide a destruct command to be ultimately executed by the Air Force Range Safety Officer.

AIRBORNE: Cape-Based team flying a Convair 340 equipped with transponders and strobe lights. Aircraft Tests were used to calibrate the system.