HR: 1330h
AN: SA23A-19    [Abstracts]
TI: Thermospheric Neutral Density, Composition and Winds from the AFRL ADS Experiment
AU: * Ballenthin, J O
EM: john.ballenthin@hanscom.af.mil
AF: Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate, AFRL/VSBXT 29 Randolph Road , Hanscom AFB,, MA 01731-3010 United States
AU: Marcos, F A
EM: frank.marcos@hanscom.af.mil
AF: Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate, AFRL/VSBXT 29 Randolph Road , Hanscom AFB,, MA 01731-3010 United States
AB: Accurate measurements of the atmospheric composition and winds are critical to development of physical models for satellite drag forecasts. However, these measurements have been extremely sparse. The AFRL ADS (Atmospheric Density Specification) experiment provides the first set of accurate, high-resolution composition, neutral density and winds measurements as well as ion composition to address critical science questions needed to forecast geomagnetic storm variations using physical models. Two flight proven, uniquely complementary in-situ sensors measure a complete high-resolution, high-accuracy parameter set to drive and validate atmospheric models. The AFRL ADMS (Atmospheric Density Mass Spectrometer) instrument provides accurate density and neutral composition data as well as ionosphere measurements. A neutral winds sensor, ACME (Anemometer Crosstrack Measurement Experiment) will be supplied by the University of Texas at Dallas. The ADS data will be critical to physical model studies since they provide the quantities of prime interest with high accuracy and high temporal and spatial resolution. ADS will permit separation of the wind and density effects on drag; particularly important during geomagnetic storms when wind surges propagate equatorward. The full complement of data will support improved assimilation models and greatly improve constraints on the thermospheric driver estimation processes. ADS is planned for launch on board an Air Force satellite in summer 2005.
DE: 0335 Ion chemistry of the atmosphere (2419, 2427)
DE: 0350 Pressure, density, and temperature
DE: 0355 Thermosphere--composition and chemistry
DE: 0394 Instruments and techniques
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly