What is the most aerodynamic Satellite?
From what I understand at least in the lower orbits you want the least amount of drag possible.
My brain is telling me that a long pole or submarine shape satellite orientated to the direction of travel or direction of solar wind would be best and not a ball at all?
Would adding a smooth skin to take out the contour between the parts on the ISS create less drag?
At what point does the extra weight and mass to make a satellite aerodynamic cost more fuel then saved?
artificial-satellite design aerodynamics drag
asked 6 hours ago
Muze
1,8391055
add a comment |
From what I understand at least in the lower orbits you want the least amount of drag possible.
My brain is telling me that a long pole or submarine shape satellite orientated to the direction of travel or direction of solar wind would be best and not a ball at all?
Would adding a smooth skin to take out the contour between the parts on the ISS create less drag?
At what point does the extra weight and mass to make a satellite aerodynamic cost more fuel then saved?
artificial-satellite design aerodynamics drag
asked 6 hours ago
Muze
1,8391055
Aerodynamics at a pressure of about 1 bar and subsonic speeds may be very different to drag in a nearly perfect vacuum and at hypersonic orbital speed.
– Uwe
6 hours ago
@Uwe If you released 2 rubber balloons with a .2psi from the bow of the ISS one shaped as a strait noodle balloon and the other round how much would "nearly" effect each balloon?
– Muze
6 hours ago
add a comment |
From what I understand at least in the lower orbits you want the least amount of drag possible.
My brain is telling me that a long pole or submarine shape satellite orientated to the direction of travel or direction of solar wind would be best and not a ball at all?
Would adding a smooth skin to take out the contour between the parts on the ISS create less drag?
At what point does the extra weight and mass to make a satellite aerodynamic cost more fuel then saved?
artificial-satellite design aerodynamics drag
asked 6 hours ago
Muze
1,8391055
From what I understand at least in the lower orbits you want the least amount of drag possible.
My brain is telling me that a long pole or submarine shape satellite orientated to the direction of travel or direction of solar wind would be best and not a ball at all?
Would adding a smooth skin to take out the contour between the parts on the ISS create less drag?
At what point does the extra weight and mass to make a satellite aerodynamic cost more fuel then saved?
artificial-satellite design aerodynamics drag
artificial-satellite design aerodynamics drag
asked 6 hours ago
Muze
1,8391055
asked 6 hours ago
Muze
1,8391055
asked 6 hours ago
Muze
1,8391055
asked 6 hours ago
Muze
1,8391055
asked 6 hours ago
Muze
1,8391055
1,8391055
Aerodynamics at a pressure of about 1 bar and subsonic speeds may be very different to drag in a nearly perfect vacuum and at hypersonic orbital speed.
– Uwe
6 hours ago
@Uwe If you released 2 rubber balloons with a .2psi from the bow of the ISS one shaped as a strait noodle balloon and the other round how much would "nearly" effect each balloon?
– Muze
6 hours ago
add a comment |
Aerodynamics at a pressure of about 1 bar and subsonic speeds may be very different to drag in a nearly perfect vacuum and at hypersonic orbital speed.
– Uwe
6 hours ago
@Uwe If you released 2 rubber balloons with a .2psi from the bow of the ISS one shaped as a strait noodle balloon and the other round how much would "nearly" effect each balloon?
– Muze
6 hours ago
Aerodynamics at a pressure of about 1 bar and subsonic speeds may be very different to drag in a nearly perfect vacuum and at hypersonic orbital speed.
– Uwe
6 hours ago
Aerodynamics at a pressure of about 1 bar and subsonic speeds may be very different to drag in a nearly perfect vacuum and at hypersonic orbital speed.
– Uwe
6 hours ago
@Uwe If you released 2 rubber balloons with a .2psi from the bow of the ISS one shaped as a strait noodle balloon and the other round how much would "nearly" effect each balloon?
– Muze
6 hours ago
@Uwe If you released 2 rubber balloons with a .2psi from the bow of the ISS one shaped as a strait noodle balloon and the other round how much would "nearly" effect each balloon?
– Muze
6 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
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oldest
votes
The only satellite I know of that was shaped to have low drag was GOCE, which orbited at 250 km.
Since it was vital to ensure that the measurements taken are of true gravity and not influenced by any movement of the satellite, this unique five-metre long arrow-shaped satellite had none of the moving parts often seen in other spacecraft. The satellite, together with its instrumentation, actually forms a single composite gravity-measuring device.
The satellite orbited Earth as low as possible to observe the strongest possible gravity-field signal – hence GOCE was designed to skim the edge of Earth's atmosphere at a height of about 250 km. Low fuel consumption meant that its altitude could be lowered to 235 km in 2012.
An electric ion thruster at the back of the satellite continuously generated tiny forces to compensate for any drag that GOCE experienced along its orbit.
The need to fly low and be ultra-stable led to a novel satellite design that minimised air drag and torque and excludes mechanical disturbances. The result was a slim 5 metre-long satellite with a cross sectional area of about 1m2, weighing in at about 1050 kg. The satellite was symmetrical about its horizontal plane and had two winglets that provided additional aerodynamic stability.
You can see this places constraints on the satellite's shape: you can't have protruding solar panels, antennas etc. This means it's only done when really necessary; for most purposes it's much cheaper to go to a slightly higher orbit instead.
answered 5 hours ago
Hobbes
86k2244389
That's very cool and new to me.
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago
The solar panels are built into it as shown and an antenna follows the wings. The space craft is on a lean performing a turn the belly facing towards the camera.
– Muze
3 hours ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
The only satellite I know of that was shaped to have low drag was GOCE, which orbited at 250 km.
Since it was vital to ensure that the measurements taken are of true gravity and not influenced by any movement of the satellite, this unique five-metre long arrow-shaped satellite had none of the moving parts often seen in other spacecraft. The satellite, together with its instrumentation, actually forms a single composite gravity-measuring device.
The satellite orbited Earth as low as possible to observe the strongest possible gravity-field signal – hence GOCE was designed to skim the edge of Earth's atmosphere at a height of about 250 km. Low fuel consumption meant that its altitude could be lowered to 235 km in 2012.
An electric ion thruster at the back of the satellite continuously generated tiny forces to compensate for any drag that GOCE experienced along its orbit.
The need to fly low and be ultra-stable led to a novel satellite design that minimised air drag and torque and excludes mechanical disturbances. The result was a slim 5 metre-long satellite with a cross sectional area of about 1m2, weighing in at about 1050 kg. The satellite was symmetrical about its horizontal plane and had two winglets that provided additional aerodynamic stability.
You can see this places constraints on the satellite's shape: you can't have protruding solar panels, antennas etc. This means it's only done when really necessary; for most purposes it's much cheaper to go to a slightly higher orbit instead.
answered 5 hours ago
Hobbes
86k2244389
That's very cool and new to me.
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago
The solar panels are built into it as shown and an antenna follows the wings. The space craft is on a lean performing a turn the belly facing towards the camera.
– Muze
3 hours ago
add a comment |
The only satellite I know of that was shaped to have low drag was GOCE, which orbited at 250 km.
Since it was vital to ensure that the measurements taken are of true gravity and not influenced by any movement of the satellite, this unique five-metre long arrow-shaped satellite had none of the moving parts often seen in other spacecraft. The satellite, together with its instrumentation, actually forms a single composite gravity-measuring device.
The satellite orbited Earth as low as possible to observe the strongest possible gravity-field signal – hence GOCE was designed to skim the edge of Earth's atmosphere at a height of about 250 km. Low fuel consumption meant that its altitude could be lowered to 235 km in 2012.
An electric ion thruster at the back of the satellite continuously generated tiny forces to compensate for any drag that GOCE experienced along its orbit.
The need to fly low and be ultra-stable led to a novel satellite design that minimised air drag and torque and excludes mechanical disturbances. The result was a slim 5 metre-long satellite with a cross sectional area of about 1m2, weighing in at about 1050 kg. The satellite was symmetrical about its horizontal plane and had two winglets that provided additional aerodynamic stability.
You can see this places constraints on the satellite's shape: you can't have protruding solar panels, antennas etc. This means it's only done when really necessary; for most purposes it's much cheaper to go to a slightly higher orbit instead.
answered 5 hours ago
Hobbes
86k2244389
That's very cool and new to me.
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago
The solar panels are built into it as shown and an antenna follows the wings. The space craft is on a lean performing a turn the belly facing towards the camera.
– Muze
3 hours ago
add a comment |
The only satellite I know of that was shaped to have low drag was GOCE, which orbited at 250 km.
Since it was vital to ensure that the measurements taken are of true gravity and not influenced by any movement of the satellite, this unique five-metre long arrow-shaped satellite had none of the moving parts often seen in other spacecraft. The satellite, together with its instrumentation, actually forms a single composite gravity-measuring device.
The satellite orbited Earth as low as possible to observe the strongest possible gravity-field signal – hence GOCE was designed to skim the edge of Earth's atmosphere at a height of about 250 km. Low fuel consumption meant that its altitude could be lowered to 235 km in 2012.
An electric ion thruster at the back of the satellite continuously generated tiny forces to compensate for any drag that GOCE experienced along its orbit.
The need to fly low and be ultra-stable led to a novel satellite design that minimised air drag and torque and excludes mechanical disturbances. The result was a slim 5 metre-long satellite with a cross sectional area of about 1m2, weighing in at about 1050 kg. The satellite was symmetrical about its horizontal plane and had two winglets that provided additional aerodynamic stability.
You can see this places constraints on the satellite's shape: you can't have protruding solar panels, antennas etc. This means it's only done when really necessary; for most purposes it's much cheaper to go to a slightly higher orbit instead.
answered 5 hours ago
Hobbes
86k2244389
The only satellite I know of that was shaped to have low drag was GOCE, which orbited at 250 km.
Since it was vital to ensure that the measurements taken are of true gravity and not influenced by any movement of the satellite, this unique five-metre long arrow-shaped satellite had none of the moving parts often seen in other spacecraft. The satellite, together with its instrumentation, actually forms a single composite gravity-measuring device.
The satellite orbited Earth as low as possible to observe the strongest possible gravity-field signal – hence GOCE was designed to skim the edge of Earth's atmosphere at a height of about 250 km. Low fuel consumption meant that its altitude could be lowered to 235 km in 2012.
An electric ion thruster at the back of the satellite continuously generated tiny forces to compensate for any drag that GOCE experienced along its orbit.
The need to fly low and be ultra-stable led to a novel satellite design that minimised air drag and torque and excludes mechanical disturbances. The result was a slim 5 metre-long satellite with a cross sectional area of about 1m2, weighing in at about 1050 kg. The satellite was symmetrical about its horizontal plane and had two winglets that provided additional aerodynamic stability.
You can see this places constraints on the satellite's shape: you can't have protruding solar panels, antennas etc. This means it's only done when really necessary; for most purposes it's much cheaper to go to a slightly higher orbit instead.
answered 5 hours ago
Hobbes
86k2244389
answered 5 hours ago
Hobbes
86k2244389
answered 5 hours ago
Hobbes
86k2244389
answered 5 hours ago
Hobbes
86k2244389
86k2244389
That's very cool and new to me.
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago
The solar panels are built into it as shown and an antenna follows the wings. The space craft is on a lean performing a turn the belly facing towards the camera.
– Muze
3 hours ago
add a comment |
That's very cool and new to me.
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago
The solar panels are built into it as shown and an antenna follows the wings. The space craft is on a lean performing a turn the belly facing towards the camera.
– Muze
3 hours ago
That's very cool and new to me.
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago
That's very cool and new to me.
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago
The solar panels are built into it as shown and an antenna follows the wings. The space craft is on a lean performing a turn the belly facing towards the camera.
– Muze
3 hours ago
The solar panels are built into it as shown and an antenna follows the wings. The space craft is on a lean performing a turn the belly facing towards the camera.
– Muze
3 hours ago
add a comment |
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Aerodynamics at a pressure of about 1 bar and subsonic speeds may be very different to drag in a nearly perfect vacuum and at hypersonic orbital speed.
– Uwe
6 hours ago
@Uwe If you released 2 rubber balloons with a .2psi from the bow of the ISS one shaped as a strait noodle balloon and the other round how much would "nearly" effect each balloon?
– Muze
6 hours ago