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Overview
Drag induced by
the neutral-atmosphere density is the major perturbation on satellites
in low earth orbit. True density deviates as much as 20% from
model predictions, introducing error
into crucial government and private space operations
with applications to situational awareness, space surveillance, laser
communications, re-entry prediction, rendezvous and proximity
ops.
A need exists to measure physical or 'true' density, quantify density variations, and to provide
in-situ model calibration data.
The Drag and Atmospheric Neutral Density Explorer
(DANDE) will be a low-cost density, wind, and composition-measuring satellite
that will provide data for the calibration and validation of operational models
and improve our understanding of the thermosphere.
The spacecraft
is being designed and built at the
Colorado Space Grant
Consortium (COSGC) in collaboration with the
University of
Colorado at Boulder Aerospace Engineering Sciences department,
Air Force Space Command - Space Analysis/A9A, and research faculty
at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
This effort is sponsored by the
University Nanosat Program
at the Air Force Research Laboratories.
Quick Links
DANDE Photographs - taken from
picture-of-the-week segments of weekly meetings
Microgravity Flight - see
DANDE on the KC-135 NASA reduced gravity flight!
National Space Weather Program Strategic Plan - DANDE
contributes to the NSWP strategy
UNP INTERNAL SITE
- for UNP participants
Contact
Marcin Pilinski,
DANDE Program Manager, 520 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0520
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