A magnetic mass spectrometer is currently being adapted to the Space Shuttle Orbiter to provide repeated high altitude atmosphere data to support in situ rarefied flow aerodynamics research, i.e., in the high velocity, low density flight regime. The experiment, called Shuttle Upper Atmosphere Mass Spectrometer (SUMS), is the first attempt to design mass spectrometer equipment for flight vehicle aerodynamic data extraction. The SUMS experiment will provide total freestream atmospheric quantitites, principally total mass density, above altitudes at which conventional pressure measurements are valid. Experiment concepts, the expected flight profile, tradeoffs in the design of the total system and flight data reduction plans are discussed. Development plans are based upon a SUMS first flight after the Orbiter initial development flights.
A Shuttle Upper Atmosphere Mass Spectrometer /SUMS/ experiment
Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference ; 1982 ; San Diego, CA
1982-08-01
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Shuttle Upper Atmosphere Mass Spectrometer Experimental Flight Results
Online Contents | 1994
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