Increased simulation of the near perfect molecular sink found in space is desirable for present and future space chambers. However, the parameter pressure as conventionally defined is an inadequate means of expressing simulation fidelity in such chambers. An experiment was conducted to illustrate the importance of molecular flux upon simulation fidelity and to show the effects of various gases and chamber geometries upon the chamber molecular flux profiles. The experimental results were compared to a theoretical flux profile calculation. Good agreement was obtained in the definition of molecular fluxes upon a centrally suspended vehicle; differences between theory and experiment were observed in the flux profiles near a solar simulator in the chamber wall. The conclusions reached from the study were integrated with previous work in space chamber molecular kinetics.
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