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Related Experiment Videos

The shuttle glow phenomenon.

E Murad1

  • 1Air Force Research Laboratory/VSBM, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts 01731-3010, USA. murad@plh.af.mil

Annual Review of Physical Chemistry
|March 12, 2004
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Spacecraft in low Earth orbit emit an orange glow due to atmospheric interactions. This phenomenon, caused by nitrogen dioxide (NO2*), depends on atmospheric density and surface conditions.

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Area of Science:

  • Space physics
  • Atmospheric science
  • Materials science

Background:

  • Spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO) display a distinct orange glow.
  • This glow is observed on surfaces facing the direction of atmospheric wind.
  • The phenomenon has been observed on multiple spacecraft, including the space shuttle.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review observations of the spacecraft orange glow phenomenon.
  • To summarize the current scientific explanation for the glow.
  • To discuss related laboratory and surface studies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of observational data from spacecraft.
  • Analysis of factors influencing glow intensity (atmospheric density, angle, temperature).
  • Summary of theoretical explanations and laboratory experiments.

Main Results:

  • The orange glow is attributed to excited nitrogen dioxide (NO2*).
  • NO2* is formed via surface-aided recombination of atomic oxygen (O) and nitric oxide (NO).
  • Glow intensity correlates with atmospheric density, surface angle, and temperature.

Conclusions:

  • The surface-aided recombination of O and NO is the primary cause of the LEO spacecraft glow.
  • Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for spacecraft design and atmospheric studies.
  • Further laboratory and surface studies are needed to refine the explanation.