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ALT space shuttle barometric altimeter altitude analysisThe accuracy was analyzed of the barometric altimeters onboard the space shuttle orbiter. Altitude estimates from the air data systems including the operational instrumentation and the developmental flight instrumentation were obtained for each of the approach and landing test flights. By comparing the barometric altitude estimates to altitudes derived from radar tracking data filtered through a Kalman filter and fully corrected for atmospheric refraction, the errors in the barometric altitudes were shown to be 4 to 5 percent of the Kalman altitudes. By comparing the altitude determined from the true atmosphere derived from weather balloon data to the altitude determined from the U.S. Standard Atmosphere of 1962, it was determined that the assumption of the Standard Atmosphere equations contributes roughly 75 percent of the total error in the baro estimates. After correcting the barometric altitude estimates using an average summer model atmosphere computed for the average latitude of the space shuttle landing sites, the residual error in the altitude estimates was reduced to less than 373 feet. This corresponds to an error of less than 1.5 percent for altitudes above 4000 feet for all flights.
Document ID
19780017183
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Killen, R. (NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
September 3, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1978
Subject Category
Spacecraft Instrumentation
Report/Patent Number
NASA-TM-79528
REPT-78-FM-22
JSC-13937
Accession Number
78N25126
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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