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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 allowing 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 May 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 comple-

ment of rockets,

Four rockets were set up on Site Mary, eight on git"

Sally and 6 on Site Wilma for firing at the Yellowwood cloud.

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