Laboratory Investigation of Satellite Gas-Surface Interactions for Accurate Construction of Atmospheric Models: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "{{Infobox Experiment |pi=Marcin Pilinski |inst=University of Colorado, Boulder |status=Active }} == Introduction == Accurate estimates of neutral mass densities obtained from satellite drag are vital to NASA science objectives, including the construction of, validation, and assimilation into, atmospheric models. The interpretation of these measurements depends strongly on the assumptions made about atomic or molecular interactions with satellite surfaces. Such assumpti...") |
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== Results == | == Results == | ||
* The aerodynamic coefficient is altered by less than 5% by the composition of the spacecraft/debris surface. | |||
== Presentations and Publications == | == Presentations and Publications == | ||
Latest revision as of 19:56, 10 February 2023
| Laboratory Investigation of Satellite Gas-Surface Interactions for Accurate Construction of Atmospheric Models | |
|---|---|
| Principal Investigator | Marcin Pilinski |
| Institution | University of Colorado, Boulder |
| Project Status | Active |
Introduction
Accurate estimates of neutral mass densities obtained from satellite drag are vital to NASA science objectives, including the construction of, validation, and assimilation into, atmospheric models. The interpretation of these measurements depends strongly on the assumptions made about atomic or molecular interactions with satellite surfaces. Such assumptions have been known to introduce errors into the construction of atmospheric models by modifying the aerodynamic coefficients (Ca) that determine scaling factors between observed drag and atmospheric density. This experiment investigates the interaction of atmospheric gases with spacecraft surfaces under conditions consistent with atmospheric pressures and composition near and above ~500 km altitude. The goal is to determine the fundamental gas-surface interaction (GSI) parameters needed to specify spacecraft Ca and atmospheric densities.
Experimental Method
Results
- The aerodynamic coefficient is altered by less than 5% by the composition of the spacecraft/debris surface.
Presentations and Publications
Presentations
- Pilinski, M., Minton, T., Laboratory and In-Space Investigation of Gas-Surface Interactions for Accurate Drag Coefficient and Neutral Density Specification, 44th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, 16-24 July, 2022, Athens Greece
Publications
- Bernstein, V., (2022). Evaluating Satellite Drag Coefficient Modeling Assumptions in Helium-Rich Space Environments, University of Colorado Dissertation
- Bernstein, V., & Pilinski, M. (2022). Drag coefficient constraints for space weather observations in the upper thermosphere, Space Weather, 20, e2021SW002977.
External Links
- Vehicle Environment Coupling and TrajectOry Response, an online tool to calculate the coefficient of drag, projected area, and force coefficient from a given set of input parameters for a satellite.