A neutral‐atmosphere composition experiment for the Atmosphere Explorer‐C, ‐D, and ‐E

Pelz, D. T.; Reber, C. A.; Hedin, A. E.; Carignan, G. R.

doi:10.1029/rs008i004p00277

Cited by 85 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…20 These early efforts were followed by satellite flights to investigate higher reaches of the atmosphere, for example Explorers 17 and 32, OGO 6, and the Atmosphere Explorer, San Marco ͑C and D͒, and Dynamics Explorer series of satellites. 21,22 Later, more sophisticated rocket experiments ensued. [23][24][25] More recently, mass spectrometers have been flown on the space shuttle ͑missions STS-4 and STS-46͒ to perform dedicated AO experiments.…”

Section: A Mass Spectrometersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Satellite and rocket-borne atomic oxygen sensor techniques

Osborne¹,

Harris

Roberts

et al. 2001

Review of Scientific Instruments

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Neutral atomic oxygen (AO)—the dominant atmospheric species at typical low Earth orbit altitudes—is responsible for the erosion, or other degradation, of many satellite materials. Therefore, AO has become an important consideration for spacecraft designers and manufacturers. The study of AO is also of interest to atmospheric physicists because it is involved in many of the chemical reactions occurring naturally in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. Both these groups rely on atmospheric models for computer-based simulation and prediction of atomic oxygen concentrations. Such models require, or are enhanced by, empirical input data—that is, actual measurements of AO number densities. A review is presented of the different measurement techniques that, to date, have been used on satellites and sounding rockets to perform AO studies. Rather than reporting results from every sensor application, this article takes a more general view of the experimental methods, using example devices to highlight their advantages and disadvantages. New or promising equipment, or techniques that could be exploited for performing such measurements, are also described. We attempt some semiquantitative comparison of the techniques, although the most appropriate experimental method for any given flight opportunity depends heavily on the mission conditions and science goals. Our emphasis is on missions where the available mass and power are limited. In these situations the most suitable established device is probably that of the thin film actinometer. If more risk can be assumed then a more promising, but as yet unqualified, method is that of the fiber-optic reflectance sensor. However, since both these devices are nonreusable, it is shown that semiconducting sensors may be better for long duration, mass- and power-limited applications.

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Section: A Mass Spectrometersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Satellite and rocket-borne atomic oxygen sensor techniques

Osborne¹,

Harris

Roberts

et al. 2001

Review of Scientific Instruments

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“…The technique for producing the beam and measuring its velocity is described elsewhere [French, 1970]. In the tests described by Hayden et al [1974] the stagnation plate in th e beam apparatus made it possible to compare the actual response of the instrument to what it would have been had the source been an ideally 'closed' one such as that described by Pelz et al [1973]. For CO• and Ar this response was 96% of that of the idealized closed source, whereas for He it was 80%.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atomic and molecular oxygen densities in the lower thermosphere

Nier¹,

Potter²,

Kayser³

1976

J. Geophys. Res.

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The Atmosphere Explorer‐C satellite carries a neutral mass spectrometer having a quasi‐open ion source which can be operated either in a normal mode or in one which utilizes the velocity of the vehicle (∼8.5 km/s near perigee) to distinguish between incoming ambient particles and ambient particles which have struck instrument surfaces and become accommodated. In the normal mode it performs essentially like a closed source instrument. The combined use of the two modes makes possible the determination of ambient densities of chemically active constituents, such as atomic oxygen, as well as inactive species. An analysis of over 80 orbits between early February and late June, 1974, when the spacecraft's perigee was in the northern hemisphere, gave average particle densities at 200 km and mid‐latitudes as follows: n(N2), 3.0 × 109 cm−3; n(O2), 2.4 × 108 cm−3; n(O), 2.5 × 109 cm−3. Comparisons are made with other experiments. The n(N2) and n(O2) values agree well with those obtained from rocket‐borne mass spectrometers. The n(O) concentration is approximately one half of the value given in the Jacchia (1971) model, There is no evidence for an increase in average n(O2) from early February to late June; this result disagrees with reports of large seasonal variations.

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“…5 The second AE experiment of interest is the neutral atmosphere composition experiment (NACE). 7 the Earth's atmosphere. Therefore, the prediction of the ambient concentration of NO using analytical models is difficult.…”

Section: Atmosphere Explorer Satellitementioning

confidence: 99%

Detailed simulation of surface chemistry leading to spacecraft glow

Karipides

Boyd

Caledonia

1999

Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets

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Glow brightness around the Atmosphere Explorer satellite over the altitude range of 140-300 km is calculated using a multistep approach. The flowfield around the satellite is simulated using the direct simulation Monte-Carlo method. An overlay technique is used to simulate rare atmospheric species with acceptable statistical accuracy. Both nonreactive and reactive surface events are modeled by a system of ordinary differential equations. A simple analytical model is then used to convert a surface flux to glow brightness. A comprehensive set of production mechanisms is included in the calculation of glow brightness for the first time. The effects of satellite rotation are investigated and found to be most significant at higher altitudes. Sensitivity to the surface event parameters is assessed, and the critical production reaction for spacecraft glow is identified. The importance of the freestream concentration of nitric oxide is demonstrated. Very good agreement with experimental data is achieved. NomenclatureA" = species A adsorbed on the surface AJ = species /, where 1 < i < N A = species A moving toward the surface A -species A moving away the surface Fj = flux of species / to the surface, particles/(m 2 s) K l f j = Langmuir-Hinshelwood reaction rate for species / and y, m 2 /particles N = number of species HI -surface number density of species i n s = surface number density of surface sites Q = species of interest Sj = sticking coefficient for species i X = free surface site e.y = probability of ejection after Eley-Rideal reaction 6 l ij = probability of ejection after Langmuir-Hinshelwood reaction 0, = surface coverage of species /, identical to ni/n s crfj = desorption cross section for species / and j, m 2 a?j = Eley-Rideal cross section for species i and y, m 2 r, = thermal desorption time for species /, s

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A neutral‐atmosphere composition experiment for the Atmosphere Explorer‐C, ‐D, and ‐E

Cited by 85 publications

References 9 publications

Satellite and rocket-borne atomic oxygen sensor techniques

Satellite and rocket-borne atomic oxygen sensor techniques

Atomic and molecular oxygen densities in the lower thermosphere

Detailed simulation of surface chemistry leading to spacecraft glow

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