Simultaneous Analysis of Multi-Instrument Satellite Measurements of Atmospheric Density

Thermospheric Density and Wind Determination from Satellite Dynamics

“…This is reasonably consistent with the limited data from inorbit gas-surface interaction experiments [Gregory and Peters, 1987;Moe et al, 1998], which suggests that below about 500 km, the angular distribution is likely within a few percent of complete diffuse reemission (σ 0.95), and that the energy flux accommodation is quite high (α 0.8). Moe et al [2004] introduced the energy flux accommodation coefficient α as a parameter in Sentman's equations. The implementation of this modification of Sentman's equations for accelerometer data processing is largely similar to the one recently published by Sutton [2009].…”

Neutral Density and Crosswind Determination from Arbitrarily Oriented Multiaxis Accelerometers on Satellites

“…Since the current and planned accelerometer missions lack the required instrumentation, we have to rely on empirical atmosphere models such as NRLMSISE-00, 44 simplified gas-surface interaction models, and some educated guesses. Such simplified gas-surface interaction models contain parameters like the energy flux accommodation coefficient α, 45 which determines whether the particles retain their mean kinetic energy (for α = 0) or acquire the temperature of the spacecraft surface T wall (for α = 1). Another possible parameter is the Maxwell coefficient σ, which determines the fraction of particles that leaves the surface in either a completely diffuse (σ = 1) or completely specular (σ = 0) angular distribution.…”

The high-latitude thermospheric mass density anomaly: A historical review and a semi-empirical model

“…That assumption has introduced altitude-dependent biases into density measurements, hence into the Jacchia and MSIS density models (Chao et al, 1997;Moe et al, 2004;. However, orbital measurements by satellites of various special designs have, in recent years, enabled better drag coefficients to be calculated as a function of altitude for satellites of many shapes Bowman and Moe, 2005;Moe and Bowman, 2005).…”

“…Bruinsma et al (2006) have recently used CHAMP and GRACE accelerometer data to study geomagnetic storms. In addition to the bias caused by a low drag coefficient, accelerometer measurements during geomagnetic storms are biased by the great wind system that develops during a storm (Moe and Moe, 1992;Moe et al, 2004). This wind system was first described by Cole (1962Cole ( , 1966Cole ( , 1971.…”

“…deduced from accelerometers during storms (Moe et al, 2004;Bruinsma et al, 2006). If a mass spectrometer or pressure (density) gauge is flown with the accelerometer, this difficulty can be avoided by simultaneously analyzing the measurements from the accelerometer and the other types of instruments, which interact differently with the airstream.…”