A Model for Nitrogen Atom Recombination on a Silicon Dioxide Surface
Abstract
The heterogeneous recombination of particles (molecular and atomic) upon solid surfaces (metallic as well as nonmetallic) is, in theory, straightforward and understandable. The need to accurately characterize a surface, coupled with a better understanding of the heterogeneous recombination process are especially important with regard to earth orbiting reentry vehicles such as the Space Shuttle Orbiter, the planned Aeroassisted Orbital Transfer Vehicle (AOTV), and the planned Space Plane. In fact, surface recombination rates are now known to play a major role in heating the surfaces of the Space Shuttle Orbiter. According to Scott, however, the initial design of the Space Shuttle completely ignored the effects of a catalytic surface, not to mention the resulting structure changes of the surface, not to mention the resulting structure changes of the surface with temperature.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA189843
Entities
People
- Michael Newman
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology