Analysis of the IBSS Spectra of Space Shuttle Control Engine Exhaust
Abstract
Infrared Background Signature Survey spectra of exhaust gases from attitude controlling liquid-bipropellant thrusters, taken from onboard space shuttle on mission STS-39 in connection with the Orbiter Environment Experiment, are analyzed. The high-resolution multichannel sensor viewed both the expanding combustion products near the engine and through the volume where these high kinetic energy molecules react with atmospheric species. Its segments of data over about half the spectrum range between 2.5 and 17.5 microns showed primarily H sub 2 O and CO sub 2 vibrational and rotational radiation, with no other emission features unambiguously identifiable. A comparison with synthetic spectra compiled from HITRAN gave a reasonably close fit to excited-state temperatures, 800 - 1200 deg K, while the absolute radiances were in some cases below those that would result from the column-concentrations of exhaust species predicted by CONTAM because of collision limiting. These spectral radiances quantify the optical contamination resulting from Shuttle Orbiter's routine reaction control engine firings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 31, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA261749
Entities
People
- David L. Rall
- Irving L. Kofsky