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Analysis of mid-tropospheric Space Shuttle exhausted aluminum oxide particlesAluminum oxide particles from the exhaust of the Space Shuttle were collected immediately after the launch of the SEPEX mission and during the descent over the altitude interval of 7.6-4.6 km. The SEM examination revealed that the particles were spherical and ranged in diameter from about 0.1 micron to 10 microns. Results from the energy dispersive analysis (by an X-ray method) and of the particle chemistry (by electron spectroscopy) confirmed that the particles were predominantly composed of aluminum and oxygen. The particle size distribution of the Al2O3 was bimodal, with one observed peak centered near 2.0 microns; the other distribution mode centered at a diameter of less than 0.3 micron, but could not be accurately located. A mass median diameter was slightly less than 2 microns. Evaluation of ice nucleation activity revealed only a small fraction (about 1 ppm) of active ice nuclei among the Al2O3 particulates.
Document ID
19870061034
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Cofer, Wesley R., III
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Lala, G. Garland
(New York, State University Albany, United States)
Wightman, James P.
(Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1987
Publication Information
Publication: Atmospheric Environment
Volume: 21
Issue: 5, 19
ISSN: 0004-6981
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Accession Number
87A48308
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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