HR: 1340h
AN: SA43A-1081    [Abstracts]
TI: Estimating the TIMED Satellite Drag Using the Solar EUV Experiment (SEE) Measurements
AU: * Woodraska, D L
EM: woodraska@lasp.colorado.edu
AF: University of Colorado / LASP, 1234 Innovation Drive, Boulder, CO 80303 United States
AU: Woods, T N
EM: woods@lasp.colorado.edu
AF: University of Colorado / LASP, 1234 Innovation Drive, Boulder, CO 80303 United States
AU: Eparvier, F G
EM: eparvier@colorado.edu
AF: University of Colorado / LASP, 1234 Innovation Drive, Boulder, CO 80303 United States
AB: The Solar EUV Experiment (SEE) aboard the TIMED spacecraft nominally measures the solar irradiance from 0.1-193 nm and has been operating from January 2002 to the present. The orientation of TIMED provides a stable, nearly constant view factor to the ram direction. Together, the TIMED orientation and SEE measurements provide a unique opportunity to determine the influence of the solar radiation on satellite drag. This paper presents the first results of this high altitude upper atmospheric satellite drag study including: determining precision orbital changes of the TIMED spacecraft using the on-board GPS navigation system, validation of the drag estimate, identifying the key wavelength ranges in the solar spectrum that affect the orbit changes, and creation of a solar irradiance index from those wavelengths that is representative of the atmospheric drag experienced by TIMED.
DE: 7538 Solar irradiance
DE: 7549 Ultraviolet emissions
DE: 7969 Satellite drag (1241)
DE: 7974 Solar effects
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005