Publications Details

Hazards to people and aircraft from flight test debris generated at high altitudes

Cole, J.K.; Wolfe, W.P.

A survey of existing data has been completed in order to examine the hazards to people exposed on the ground and to in-flight aircraft by debris produced during high-altitude, rocket-boosted flight tests. These data were then analyzed to quantify the particle sizes and energy levels below which the fragments no longer pose a hazard. The survey results are presented here and recommendations made regarding the minimum energy levels and minimum particle size that need be considered in a flight safety analysis.