Satellite Wind Tunnel Studies for LEO Objects in the Ionosphere
Abstract
Understanding the forces that influence Resident Space Objects (RSO) is taking on a new significance as the modern near-Earth space environment becomes increasingly congested. Recent work by Capon [ref] has demonstrated that the forces on RSOs caused by their aerodynamic interaction with the ionosphere (ionospheric aerodynamics) are both significant, and poorly understood. The proposed research works to address this gap in understanding through the development of ground-based ionospheric aerodynamic experimental facilities at UNSW Canberra and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). The experimental approach mirrors that of continuum aerodynamics studies, simple geometries mounted on a nano-Newton Thrust Stand (nNTS) are subject to atomic Oxygen and Argon plasmas in a thermal vacuum chamber over a range of conditions. Comparisons with the PIC-DSMC code, pdFOAM, developed at UNSW Canberra, will build confidence in numerical capabilities while providing insights into the fundamental physical mechanisms underlying any observed trends in force measurements. The objectives of this research program are to provide a partial validation of the scaling laws for plasma-body interactions in LEO, investigate the ratio of total (charged + neutral) to neutral drag as a function of object surface potential, and provide a basis for a comparison study between the Chamber for Atmospheric and Orbital Space Simulation (ChAOSS) at UCCS and the S2F facility at ANU in Canberra. By developing a better understanding of ionospheric aerodynamics, this research works towards addressing key challenges faced by the interactional Space Situational Awareness (SSA) community.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2018
- Source ID
- FA23861714105
Entities
People
- Philippe Lorrain
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of New South Wales