Estimates of Spherical Satellite Drag Coefficients in the Upper Thermosphere During Different Geomagnetic Conditions
Abstract Satellite drag coefficients are crucial for determining the neutral mass densities that affect spacecraft operations in the thermosphere. Many studies typically utilize a constant drag coefficient of 2.2 to calculate the neutral density. However, due to the variability of space environment,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Space Weather |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1029/2024SW003974 |
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| author | Xin Wang Tingling Ren Ronglan Wang Bingxian Luo Ercha Aa Lei Cai Ming Li Juan Miao Siqing Liu Jiancun Gong |
| author_facet | Xin Wang Tingling Ren Ronglan Wang Bingxian Luo Ercha Aa Lei Cai Ming Li Juan Miao Siqing Liu Jiancun Gong |
| author_sort | Xin Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Satellite drag coefficients are crucial for determining the neutral mass densities that affect spacecraft operations in the thermosphere. Many studies typically utilize a constant drag coefficient of 2.2 to calculate the neutral density. However, due to the variability of space environment, uncertainties in the drag coefficient can lead to significant systematic discrepancies in neutral density measurements. Satellite drag coefficient may fluctuate in the thermosphere under various geomagnetic activities and altitudes. For the first time, we calculate the spherical satellite drag coefficient using data from the “Orbital Atmospheric Density Detection Experimental Satellite,” referred to as the QX satellite. Our findings reveal that the drag coefficient can be estimated by thermospheric temperature and density, which are dependent on geomagnetic activity and altitude. At an altitude of ∼510 km, drag coefficients are adjusted to around 2.425, instead of the constant value of 2.2. Furthermore, the drag coefficient may decrease due to the significant influence of increasing geomagnetic activity, such as geomagnetic storms, on thermospheric density and temperature. These estimates of the drag coefficient can also be used to reduce discrepancies when deducing the ballistic coefficient. Consequently, using the estimated drag coefficient can accurately determine the QX‐derived neutral density, which agrees well with the density from Swarm‐B satellite. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dff963f8ff57496ea56935a449c7d2a5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1542-7390 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Space Weather |
| spelling | doaj-art-dff963f8ff57496ea56935a449c7d2a52025-01-14T16:26:51ZengWileySpace Weather1542-73902024-11-012211n/an/a10.1029/2024SW003974Estimates of Spherical Satellite Drag Coefficients in the Upper Thermosphere During Different Geomagnetic ConditionsXin Wang0Tingling Ren1Ronglan Wang2Bingxian Luo3Ercha Aa4Lei Cai5Ming Li6Juan Miao7Siqing Liu8Jiancun Gong9National Space Science Center Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaNational Space Science Center Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaNational Space Science Center Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaNational Space Science Center Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaNational Space Science Center Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaSpace Physics and Astronomy University of Oulu Oulu FinlandNational Space Science Center Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaNational Space Science Center Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaNational Space Science Center Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaState Key Laboratory of Space Weather National Space Science Center Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaAbstract Satellite drag coefficients are crucial for determining the neutral mass densities that affect spacecraft operations in the thermosphere. Many studies typically utilize a constant drag coefficient of 2.2 to calculate the neutral density. However, due to the variability of space environment, uncertainties in the drag coefficient can lead to significant systematic discrepancies in neutral density measurements. Satellite drag coefficient may fluctuate in the thermosphere under various geomagnetic activities and altitudes. For the first time, we calculate the spherical satellite drag coefficient using data from the “Orbital Atmospheric Density Detection Experimental Satellite,” referred to as the QX satellite. Our findings reveal that the drag coefficient can be estimated by thermospheric temperature and density, which are dependent on geomagnetic activity and altitude. At an altitude of ∼510 km, drag coefficients are adjusted to around 2.425, instead of the constant value of 2.2. Furthermore, the drag coefficient may decrease due to the significant influence of increasing geomagnetic activity, such as geomagnetic storms, on thermospheric density and temperature. These estimates of the drag coefficient can also be used to reduce discrepancies when deducing the ballistic coefficient. Consequently, using the estimated drag coefficient can accurately determine the QX‐derived neutral density, which agrees well with the density from Swarm‐B satellite.https://doi.org/10.1029/2024SW003974drag coefficientgeomagnetic activityneutral densitythermospheric temperaturealtitude |
| spellingShingle | Xin Wang Tingling Ren Ronglan Wang Bingxian Luo Ercha Aa Lei Cai Ming Li Juan Miao Siqing Liu Jiancun Gong Estimates of Spherical Satellite Drag Coefficients in the Upper Thermosphere During Different Geomagnetic Conditions Space Weather drag coefficient geomagnetic activity neutral density thermospheric temperature altitude |
| title | Estimates of Spherical Satellite Drag Coefficients in the Upper Thermosphere During Different Geomagnetic Conditions |
| title_full | Estimates of Spherical Satellite Drag Coefficients in the Upper Thermosphere During Different Geomagnetic Conditions |
| title_fullStr | Estimates of Spherical Satellite Drag Coefficients in the Upper Thermosphere During Different Geomagnetic Conditions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Estimates of Spherical Satellite Drag Coefficients in the Upper Thermosphere During Different Geomagnetic Conditions |
| title_short | Estimates of Spherical Satellite Drag Coefficients in the Upper Thermosphere During Different Geomagnetic Conditions |
| title_sort | estimates of spherical satellite drag coefficients in the upper thermosphere during different geomagnetic conditions |
| topic | drag coefficient geomagnetic activity neutral density thermospheric temperature altitude |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1029/2024SW003974 |
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