Spacecraft Optical Environment.
Abstract
This report summarizes the findings of the program entitled Spacecraft Optical Environment. In this program the Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory conducted a research program to investigate the interactions of spacecrafts with low earth orbit environment. This program was specifically designed to provide information to answer the critical issues in understanding optical radiation produced by space-craft when interacting with the atmosphere. The knowledge of the properties and the production mechanism of the many types of spacecraft induced radiation has applications spacecraft borne remote sensing, the detection and identification of spacecraft, and in the diagnostics of the physical and chemical interaction between spacecraft materials and their environment. The program studied radiation produced by space-craft interaction phenomena related to (1) enhanced ionization in the vicinity of the spacecraft (2) chemical reactions of fast ambient species with spacecraft surfaces and (3) chemical reaction of fast ambient species with effluents and other gaseous products of outgassing and thruster firings. In addition the optical background radiation on which the spacecraft environment is superimposed was studied.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 27, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA304474
Entities
People
- S. B. Mende
Organizations
- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space