Thermospheric Density Fluctuations Derived from the Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment Mission
Abstract
The Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment (ANDE) flight was launched on July 15, 2009 and deployed into orbit by the Space Shuttle Endeavour on July 30, 2009. The primary scientific objectives of the ANDE flight is to monitor total neutral density along the orbit for improved orbit determination of resident space objects. The mission consists of two spherical spacecraft fitted with retro-reflectors for satellite laser ranging (SLR). Each spacecraft contains a small lightweight payload designed to determine the spin rate and orientation of the spacecraft from on-orbit measurements and from ground based observations. Instrumentation onboard one of the ANDE2 spacecraft, Castor, will measure the in-situ neutral and plasma densities. This paper presents a mission overview and emphasis will be placed on the scientific results and comparison with solar and geomagnetic drivers as well as other neutral density measuring techniques (CubeSat, SSULI, etc…).
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AGUFMSA31B1414N
- Keywords:
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- 0355 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE / Thermosphere: composition and chemistry;
- 0394 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE / Instruments and techniques;
- 7837 SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS / Neutral particles;
- 7969 SPACE WEATHER / Satellite drag