DESIGN OF THE NASA LIGHTWEIGHT INFLATABLE SATELLITES FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ATMOSPHERIC DENSITY AT EXTREME ALTITUDES

Abstract

A design study was made of the characteristics of inflatable spheres for use as satellites for determining atmospheric density. The spheres could be fabricated from lightweight material, compactly folded, and inflated to give a large frontal area. The temperature of the inflatable sphere while in a sunlight orbit could be controlled by coating the outside surface of the sphere. A 12-foot-diameter inflatable sphere was successfully injected into orbit and named Explorer IX (1961 Delta 1). The inflatable satellite is optically visible and appears to reflect more like a specular sphere than a diffused sphere. Radar sightings of the satellite have indicated that the 12-foot- diameter satellite is fully inflated.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1962
Accession Number
AD0274579

Entities

People

  • Claude W. Coffee Jr.
  • Gerald M. Keating
  • Walter E. Bressette

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Atmospheric Density
  • Composite Materials
  • Dynamic Pressure
  • Electronic Components
  • Fabrication
  • Internal Pressure
  • Laminates
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Optical Tracking
  • Physical Properties
  • Pressure Measurement
  • Satellite Orbits
  • Solar Radiation
  • Tensile Strength
  • United States

Readers

  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Materials Science
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris