NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Collections About News Help Login
Back to Results
Pinhole cameras as sensors for atomic oxygen in orbit; application to attitude determination of the LDEFImages produced by pinhole cameras using film sensitive to atomic oxygen provide information on the ratio of spacecraft orbital velocity to the most probable thermal speed of oxygen atoms, provided the spacecraft orientation is maintained stable relative to the orbital direction. Alternatively, as it is described, information on the spacecraft attitude relative to the orbital velocity can be obtained, provided that corrections are properly made for thermal spreading and a co-rotating atmosphere. The LDEF orientation, uncorrected for a co-rotating atmosphere, was determined to be yawed 8.0 minus/plus 0.4 deg from its nominal attitude, with an estimated minus/plus 0.35 deg oscillation in yaw. The integrated effect of inclined orbit and co-rotating atmosphere produces an apparent oscillation in the observed yaw direction, suggesting that the LDEF attitude measurement will indicate even better stability when corrected for a co-rotating atmosphere. The measured thermal spreading is consistent with major exposure occurring during high solar activity, which occurred late during the LDEF mission.
Document ID
19920001860
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Peters, Palmer N. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL., United States)
Gregory, John C. (Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
August 31, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Analysis of Surfaces from the LDEF A0114, Phase 4
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Accession Number
92N11078
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-812
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS8-36645
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

Related Records

There are no records associated with this record.
No Preview Available