Operational Data Reduction Procedure for Determining Density and Vertical Structure of the Martian Upper Atmosphere From Mars Global Surveyor Accelerometer Measurements

Since its founding, NASA has been dedicated to the advancement of aeronautics and space science. The NASA Scientific and Technical Information (STI) Program Office plays a key part in helping NASA maintain this important role. The NASA STI Program Office is operated by Langley Research Center, the lead center for NASAÕs scientific and technical information. The NASA STI Program Office provides access to the NASA STI Database, the largest collection of aeronautical and space science STI in the world. The Program Office is also NASAÕs institutional mechanism for disseminating the results of its research and development activities. These results are published by NASA in the NASA STI Report Series, which includes the following report types: · TECHNICAL PUBLICATION. Reports of completed research or a major significant phase of research that present the results of NASA programs and include extensive data or theoretical analysis. Includes compilations of significant scientific and technical data and information deemed to be of continuing reference value. NASA counterpart of peer reviewed formal professional papers, but having less stringent limitations on manuscript length and extent of graphic presentations. · TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM. Scientific and technical findings that are preliminary or of specialized interest, e.g., quick release reports, working papers, and bibliographies that contain minimal annotation. Does not contain extensive analysis. · CONTRACTOR REPORT. Scientific and technical findings by NASA-sponsored contractors and grantees. · CONFERENCE PUBLICATION. Collected papers from scientific and technical conferences, symposia, seminars, or other meetings sponsored or co-sponsored by NASA. · TECHNICAL TRANSLATION. English-language translations of foreign scientific and technical material pertinent to NASAÕs mission. Specialized services that help round out the STI Program OfficeÕs diverse offerings include creating custom thesauri, building customized databases, organizing and publishing research results ... even providing videos. Abstract The success of aerobraking at Mars by the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft was partly due to the analysis of MGS accelerometer data. Accelerometer data was used to determine the effect of the atmosphere on each orbit, to characterize the nature of the atmosphere, and to predict the atmosphere for future orbits. To properly interpret the accelerometer data, a data reduction procedure was developed which utilizes inputs from the spacecraft, the MGS Navigation Team, and pre-mission aerothermodynamic studies to produce density estimations at various points and altitudes on the planet. This data reduction procedure was based on the calculation of acceleration due to aerodynamic forces from the accelerometer data by considering acceleration …