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Radiative relaxation of molecular vibration of the nitric oxide molecule as a possible source of the infrared Shuttle glowA model calculation to predict infrared Shuttle flow due to the radiative relaxation of vibration of the NO molecule is presented. Space Shuttles hit atmospheric NO molecules at a very high speed and excite vibrational and rotational motions up to the temperature of 54,000 K. With the electric dipole radiation of delta v = 1, 2, 3, and particularly 4 (v is the vibrational quantum number), the excited NO molecules emit infrared radiation before they collide with other molecules. The total radiation power is estimated to be 170 A micro-W, where A is the cross-section area of the Shuttle in sq m if no adsorption of the NO molecule takes place on the Shuttle surface. The intensity of each infrared line is calculated as a function of time, including all vibrational states up to v = 35.
Document ID
19860027973
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Mizushima, M.
(Colorado, University Boulder, United States)
Shimazaki, T.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Planetary and Space Science
Volume: 33
ISSN: 0032-0633
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Accession Number
86A12711
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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