The interaction between space objects and their rarefied environment is assumed, for the purpose of orbit predictions, to be as if the object is shaped like a cannon ball and has constant drag coefficient.
Subject:
The interaction between space objects and their rarefied environment is assumed, for the purpose of orbit predictions, to be as if the object is shaped like a cannon ball and has constant drag coefficient. This assumption leads to significant inaccuracies in orbit predictions, increasing the risk of collisions.
Employing a state-of-the-art hybrid DSMC/PIC supercomputer code to capture the physics of high speed rarefied neutral and charged particle flowfields, this project will study the underlying phenomena associated with fundamental space object shapes flying in the LEO thermosphere and ionosphere. The relative strengths of spanwise vs in-track forces, and relative contributions from charged vs neutral particles will be explored.
UNSW Canberra Space
