EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGY EXPOSURE FACILITY- FLUX (PHI) PROBE EXPERIMENT-TIME RESOLVED
MEASURE OF ATOMIC OXYGEN (EUTEF-FIPEX)
Research Area: Spacecraft and Orbital Environments
Expedition(s): 16- 20
Principal Investigator(s): ● Stefanos Fasoulas, PhD, University of Dresden, Germany
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The European Technology Exposure Facility- Flux (Phi) Probe Experiment-Time Resolved
Measure of Atomic Oxygen (EuTEF-FIPEX) micro-sensor system is intended to measure the
atomic oxygen flux as well as the oxygen molecules in the surrounding area of the International
Space Station (ISS). The experiment includes 2 sensor units, each containing 6 sensors. One unit
was facing the ISS flight direction measuring the dynamic pressure and the other unit was
facing the zenith (away from Earth) direction measuring the static pressure of the atomic and
molecular oxygen.
RESULTS
First results of the
sensor currents versus
the prediction of atomic
oxygen using the
atmosphere models are
illustrated in the
associated graph. These
first results show
deviations of the
transient behavior of
atomic oxygen
compared to the
prediction of the higher
atmosphere models U.S.
Naval Research Laboratory Mass Spectrometer and Incoherent Scatter Radar Exosphere
(NRLMSISE), which is an empirical model of temperatures/densities of atmospheric
components, Marshall Engineering Thermosphere Model (MET) and Density Temperature Drag
Model (DTM). The results showed an increase of atomic oxygen after local sunrise when ISS
orbited from south to the equator followed by a decrease when continuing the orbit to higher
latitudes. Some minutes before the ISS exited the local eclipse phase, the atomic oxygen level
reached its minimum.
PUBLICATION(S)
Fasoulas S, GH, Lohle S. Overview experimental diagnostics for rarefied flows—Selected topics.
NATO Science and Technology Organization; January 2011.
This investigation is complete and all results are published.
International Space Station ground track during the first 4 Flux (Phi) Probe
Experiment-Time Resolved Measure of Atomic Oxygen (FIPEX) orbits and FIPEX
sensor signals (3 sensors) versus predictions of atomic oxygen using the
atmosphere models from April 16 - 17, 2008. ESA image.