METHOD FOR DETERMINING ATMOSPHERIC DENSITY AT SPACECRAFT HEIGHT OF FLIGHT Russian patent published in 2018 - IPC B64G3/00 

FIELD: astronautics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to methods and means for observing a spacecraft (SC) with free motion within the orbit and whose orientation is supported by gyrodynes. In this case, the parameters of the motion of the center of mass and the parameters of the rotational motion of the spacecraft are measured. On the parameters of the space vehicle orientation and the position of its moving parts, the spacecraft space area is determined. Quench perturbing effects on the calibrated object (CO), freely moved inside the spacecraft, and measure the parameters of the movement of CO relative to the body of the SC, as of continuously from the moment when these parameters become less than the predetermined values, until the moment of contact of the CO with the SC body. Density of the atmosphere at the altitude of the SC is determined by the area of the midship, the mass, the radius of the center of mass and the velocity vector of the SC, and also by the distance and acceleration vectors of the center of mass of the CO relative to the center of SC mass.

EFFECT: technical result consists in the possibility of determining the local density of the atmosphere from the parameters of the relative motion of the CO.

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