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The neutral atmosphere temperature experimentThe AEROS Neutral Atmosphere Temperature Experiment (NATE) is designed to measure the kinetic temperature of molecular nitrogen in the thermosphere. A quadrupole mass spectrometer tuned to N2 measures the N2 density variation in a small spherical antechamber having a knife-edged orifice which is exposed to the atmosphere at the outer surface of the spacecraft. The changing density of N2 due to the spinning motion of the spacecraft permits determination of the velocity distribution of the N2 from which the temperature is calculated. An alternate mode of operation of the instrument allows measurement of the other gases in the atmosphere as well as N2 permitting determination of the neutral particle composition of the atmosphere.
Document ID
19750035127
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Spencer, N. W.
Pelz, D. T.
Niemann, H. B.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Laboratory for Planetary Atmospheres, Greenbelt, Md., United States)
Carignan, G. R.
Caldwell, J. R.
(Michigan, University Ann Arbor, Mich., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1974
Publication Information
Publication: Zeitschrift fuer Geophysik
Volume: 40
Issue: 5, 19
Subject Category
Instrumentation And Photography
Accession Number
75A19199
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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