HR: 10:35h
AN: ED52A-02 [Abstracts]
TI: Using Satellite Drag to Teach About the Near-Space Environment
AU: * Knipp, D J
EM: delores.knipp@usafa.af.mil
AF: Dept of Physics
US Air Force Academy
, Suite 2A25 Fairchild Hall, USAF Academy, CO 80840
United States
AU: McHarg, M G
ED52A-02
AF: Dept of Physics
US Air Force Academy
, Suite 2A25 Fairchild Hall, USAF Academy, CO 80840
United States
AB:
Physics students are intrigued by activities in space. To link this natural curiosity with solid problem-solving skills, we
have developed a spreadsheet simulation of a satellite moving through an atmosphere of variable density. The
simulation-laboratory has been used in US Air Force Academy (USAFA) introductory mechanics classes for several semesters.
Variants of this activity have also been used in a USAFA advanced division space physics class, a high school advanced
placement physics class, and in the Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling graduate summer school course. The
simulation reviews mechanics and illustrates a method scientists might use to break a complex problem into small, solvable
elements. Interactive computational techniques and empirical models are also introduced as tools for analyzing orbital
motion. The simulation consists of two linked spreadsheets and their associated plots. One spreadsheet contains density and
temperature for the lower 1000 kilometers of the earth's atmosphere, and the other contains the orbit simulation. Students
can modify the standard atmospheric temperature profile to learn about the physical link between temperature and density in
the upper atmosphere. In advanced division classes we ask students to "modify" the atmospheric temperature profile in order
to match the known orbital decay rate of the STARSHINE satellites. Students can confirm that the upper atmosphere is, in
fact, cooling even as the lower atmosphere records a recent warming trend. The activities described herein are appropriate
for an introductory undergraduate course with laboratory access to personal computers. We will provide a demonstration of
the simulation and pre- and post lab evaluations.
DE: 0810 Post-secondary education
DE: 0820 Curriculum and laboratory design
DE: 0845 Instructional tools
DE: 7969 Satellite drag (1241)
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005