Determination of aerodynamic forces on satellites by theory and wind tunnel experiments

Theoretical and experimental aspects of satellite aerodynamics in free molecular flow have been studied. A FORTRAN-program package has been developed to calculate free molecular aerodynamic force and moment coefficients of general and special convex shapes, using an approximation of the surfaces by plane triangular elements.As a special case for concave bodies, the drag of a satellite of TD1A-similar shape has been investigated by an approximate theory and by wind tunnel experiments. Comparisons are made between experimental results, the approximate theory and exact theory.