A Device to Measure Mass Density and Atomic Oxygen Concentration in the Lower Thermosphere: Calibration and Signal Estimates.

Abstract

A device has been developed that can simultaneously measure the total mass density rho and the number density of atomic oxygen n(O) in a flowing gas stream. It consists of a pair of matched thermopiles, one of which is coated with silver to catalize the recombination of atomic oxygen. The device has been calibrated in the laboratory. Signal levels are estimated for both rocket-borne and satellite-borne configurations and are shown to be adequate to measure rho and n(O) in the lower thermosphere. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 07, 1972
Accession Number
AD0751468

Entities

People

  • Arthur B. Prag
  • Virginia L. Carter

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Atmosphere (Earth)
  • Biological Phenomena
  • Buildings And Structures
  • Calibration
  • Ecological And Environmental Phenomena
  • Environment
  • Laboratory Procedures
  • Measurement
  • Research Facilities
  • Space Systems
  • Thermopiles
  • Thermosphere

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster