Development of an operational prototype for the determination of the thermospheric density on the basis of a thermosphere-ionosphere coupling model (TIK)

With respect to the determination and propagation of the trajectories of LEO satellites or debris, the thermospheric drag is of particular importance, since it is the most important deceleration effect at that altitudes in the equation of motion. Today, the calculation of the thermospheric drag is usually carried out by empirical thermosphere models such as the Jacchia-Bowman model (JB2008), the NRLMSISE model or the Drag Temperature Model (DTM2013). The project TIK will analyse and apply the relation between the thermosphere and the ionosphere to improve the estimation of both the neutral and the electron density using the inherent coupling. TIK will also introduce the use of data assimilation techniques using physical models which utilize the coupling between the thermosphere and the ionosphere (TI).     «

With respect to the determination and propagation of the trajectories of LEO satellites or debris, the thermospheric drag is of particular importance, since it is the most important deceleration effect at that altitudes in the equation of motion. Today, the calculation of the thermospheric drag is usually carried out by empirical thermosphere models such as the Jacchia-Bowman model (JB2008), the NRLMSISE model or the Drag Temperature Model (DTM2013). The project TIK will analyse and apply the re...     »