LOCAL MR-12 ROCKET ENVIRONMENT GLOW AND ITS INFLUENCE ON ROCKET-BORNEATMOSPHERIC OPTICAL STUDIES

Local rocket environment glow observed during eight MR-12 rocket launc hes with rocket-borne photometers is discussed. Theoretical calculatio ns of spatial distributions of products outgassing from the booster ar ound the MR-12 rocket on down-leg have been performed. The analysis of rocket environment glow relative behaviour measured by rocket-borne p hotometers has shown good comparison with theoretical calculations for outgassing products. MR-12 rocket glow is explained by interaction be tween products outgassing from the booster and natural atmospheric spe cies. Theoretical calculations and experimental data show that the roc ket glow on upleg is not observed by rocket-borne photometers directed to upper hemisphere, but on downleg its brightness can reach 15-20 kR (557.7 nm).