A Global Thermospheric Density Model Based on Satellite Accelerometer Data.

Abstract

Measurements from the accelerometer experiments on four low-altitude satellites (S3-1 and Atmosphere Explorer-C, -D, and -E) have been combined to produce an empirical model of the neutral mass density from 140 to 240 km. Data from over a 8000 orbits are analyzed using the least-squares method of multiple linear regression. The resulting model gives density as a function of solar flux (for flux values 60 to 130 units), geomagnetic activity, day of year, local time, latitude and altitude. It provides a more accurate fit to the measured data than other available atmospheric models. Three commonly used models are evaluated by comparison of their predicted density variations with those of this empirical model. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 26, 1982
Accession Number
ADA119861

Entities

People

  • Dorothy F. Gillette
  • Edward C. Robinson
  • Frank A. Marcos

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Altitude
  • Data Acquisition
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Science
  • Data Sets
  • Databases
  • Diurnal Variations
  • High Latitudes
  • Information Science
  • Least Squares Method
  • Magnetic Storms
  • Measurement
  • Regression Analysis
  • Solar Activity
  • Solar Cycle

Readers

  • Regression Analysis.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris