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Satellite Drag Coefficient Modeling For Thermosphere Science And Mission Operations, Piyush M. Mehta, Smriti N. Paul, Nicholas H. Crisp, Philip L. Sheridan, Christian Siemes, Günther March, Sean Bruinsma

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Satellite drag modeling remains the largest source of uncertainty affecting space operations in low Earth orbit. The uncertainty stems from inaccurate models for mass density and drag coefficient. Drag coefficient modeling also impacts scientific knowledge on the physics and dynamics of the upper atmosphere through the estimation of high-fidelity mass density from measurements of acceleration on-board satellites. Efforts over the last decade have pushed drag coefficient modeling in the right direction, however, have resulted in multiple methods and tools. We provide a comprehensive review of the drag coefficient modeling methods and tools. Current scale differences between thermospheric data sets mostly …