GOCE Aerodynamic Torque Modeling

Abstract

In recent studies thermospheric densities and cross-winds have been derived from linear acceleration measurements of the gradiometer on board the GOCE satellite. Our current work is aimed at analyzing also the angular accelerations, in order to improve the thermosphere density and wind data by allowing for the estimation of more unknown parameters. On this poster an overview is provided of the modeling efforts involved in isolating the aerodynamic torque. The intermediate result is a comparison of modeled and measured torques. Each box contains a plot of the torque from a specific source, compared to the measured torque, on October 16th, 2013. A short description of the model for each torque is also provided.Astrodynamics & Space MissionsControl & Simulatio