0018933
9 May Test
Two rockets were fired from Site Wilma for system check and nose
cone recovery practice, but both cones were leaky and sank soon after
striking the water,
The cause of the leakage was not known, but it was
thought that a contributing factor might have been the existence of a
partial vacuum inside the sampling heads, since they were sealed at an
altitude of about 80, 000 feet where the ambient pressure is much below
that at sea level.
To correct this situation, small holes of about 0,040
inch diameter were drilled in the nose cones and coated with a hydrophobic grease, thereby 2llowing air pressure equalization without per=
mitting the entry of water,
Static tests showed that no water entered
the sampler heads by this route.
13 May Test
Eighteen rockets were set up for firing at the Koa cloud, but, as
described previously, none were launched (see Section 2, 3.2).
26 Mzy Test
After modification and testing of the launching equipment subsequent
to Shot Koa, it was believed that the system was fully operational.
It
was desired at this time to test the complete array with a full complement of rockets,
Four rockets were set up on Site Mary, eight on Site
Sally and 6 on Site Wilma for firing at the Yellowwood cloud.
The cloud