Analysis of the Effective Vertical Resolution from Filtered and Unfiltered Balloon Data

Wind data from balloon systems are used by space launch vehicles in generating ascent trajectory profile and evaluating vehicle performance during ascent through Earth’s atmosphere. The US Space Force is evaluating performance of the Vaisala MW51 balloon system from launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Simultaneous balloon releases of the MW51 are being used to generate data from which the system performance will be assessed. This paper will present results from these flights including an evaluation of the effective vertical resolution of the MW51 system.