Design
| Enviro |
Astro | Propulsion
| Power | Thermal
| Structures | AD&C
| CDHS |
Test
Space
is not simply a vacuum;
satellites are exposed to monatomic oxygen, solar
wind, high energy particles, radiation, meteorites
and debris. Space weather
limits spacecraft life expectancy and is an important
design consideration.
Space
Environment
Gravity
determines a vehicle's trajectory
through space and is a fundamental design parameter.
Atmospheric
drag causes
frictional heating on spacecraft, which is a big
problem for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) spacecraft but
is an asset to aeroassist missions.
The
magnetosphere is an expansive region
of energetic particles that surround the Earth.
Environmental
effects within the magnetosphere jeopardize
spacecraft missions and longevity.
Collision
hazards in orbit are both natural and
man-made; the latter is especially menacing.
