The State‐of‐the‐Art Model Atmosphere From the Surface to 110 km Over the Indian Tropical Region for ISRO Launching Vehicle Applications: Developed From In Situ and Space‐Based Measurements. Issue 1 (29th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Uma, K. N.; Adimurthy, V.; Ramachandran, R.
• Is Part Of: Earth and space science. Volume 10:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-12-29
• Subjects: Indian reference model -- temperature trend -- radiosonde -- M‐100 rocket -- SABER; Space sciences -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 500.5
• DOI: 10.1029/2022EA002483
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2333-5084

Abstract

Abstract: The atmospheric model at any location is an altitude variation of temperature, pressure, and density. Such models are crucial for designing launch vehicles and as well as for scientific research. The models available over the Indian region were developed three decades ago using in situ observations till 1990, and hence a need was felt to revamp and regenerate the model. The focus of the present revised atmosphere is to look into the variability on a monthly and annual scale using long‐term data from both in situ and space‐based observations. The new model can accommodate and address the appropriate temporal variability and dispersions over time. It will also account for the seasonal and decadal variability and the variations due to climate change. The present reference atmosphere utilizes data from different platforms to provide a robust mean and bounds for the temperature, pressure, and density. The new model is developed using observations from 44 years (1975–2018) of radiosonde (0–25 km), 20 years (1971–1991) of M‐100 rocket (26–80 km), and 17 years (2002–2018) of SABER (26–110 km). The reference atmosphere contains monthly and annual means with ±3σ bounds for temperature, pressure, and density. The reference atmosphere can be directly used to design future ISRO launching vehicles. Plain Language Summary: The atmospheric model at any location is an altitude variation of temperature, pressure, and density. Such models are very important for both technical and scientific research. In rocket launching activities, atmosphere parameters are required for various purposes; like launch vehicle trajectory design and simulations, aerodynamic load characterization, Monte Carlo trajectory dispersion studies. On the other hand, with respect to the scientific aspect, the long‐term characteristics of temperature, density and winds are required to understand the atmospheric wave characteristics and its propagation. The present reference atmosphere is developed using long‐term data of radiosonde (44 years), M‐100 rocket (21 years) and SABER satellite (17 years) over the Indian region. The present reference atmosphere will be helpful for the scientific assimilation of the decades of atmospheric observation data into the process of space system design and analysis and also for understanding the dynamics of the atmosphere. Key Points: Long‐term observations are used to generate the reference atmosphere from 0 to 110 km over the Indian region which is first of its kind New model is vital for designing ISRO launch vehicles and trajectory analysis Trend analysis shows cooling in the lower and middle atmosphere