Comparisons and Analyses of Thermospheric Mass Densities Derived from Global Navigation Satellite System–Precise Orbit Determination and an Ionization Gauge–Orbital Neutral Atmospheric Detector Onboard a Spherical Satellite at 520 km Altitude

Thermospheric mass densities are investigated to explore their responses to solar irradiance and geomagnetic activity during the period from 31 October to 7 November 2021. Utilizing data from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) payload and an ionization gauge mounted on the Orbital Neutral...

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Main Authors: Yujiao Jin, Xianguo Zhang, Maosheng He, Yongping Li, Xiangguang Meng, Jiangzhao Ai, Bowen Wang, Xinyue Wang, Yueqiang Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Remote Sensing
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/1/98
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author Yujiao Jin
Xianguo Zhang
Maosheng He
Yongping Li
Xiangguang Meng
Jiangzhao Ai
Bowen Wang
Xinyue Wang
Yueqiang Sun
author_facet Yujiao Jin
Xianguo Zhang
Maosheng He
Yongping Li
Xiangguang Meng
Jiangzhao Ai
Bowen Wang
Xinyue Wang
Yueqiang Sun
author_sort Yujiao Jin
collection DOAJ
description Thermospheric mass densities are investigated to explore their responses to solar irradiance and geomagnetic activity during the period from 31 October to 7 November 2021. Utilizing data from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) payload and an ionization gauge mounted on the Orbital Neutral Atmospheric Detector (OAD) payload onboard the QQ-Satellite, thermospheric mass densities are derived through two independent means: precise orbit determination (POD) and pressure measurements. For the first time, observations of these two techniques are compared and analyzed in this study to demonstrate similarities and differences. Both techniques exhibit similar spatial–temporal variations, with clear dependences on local solar time (LT). However, the hemispheric asymmetry is almost absent in simulations from the NRLMSISE-00 and DTM94 models compared with observations. At high latitudes, density enhancements of observations and simulations are shown, characterized by periodic bulge structures. In contrast, only the OAD-derived densities exhibit wave-like disturbances that propagate from two poles to lower latitudes during geomagnetic storm periods, suggesting a connection to traveling atmospheric disturbances (TADs). Over the long term, thermospheric mass densities derived from the two means of POD and the OAD show good agreements, yet prominent discrepancies emerge during specific periods and under different space-weather conditions. We propose possible interpretations as well as suggestions for utilizing these two means. Significantly, neutral winds should be considered in both methods, particularly at high latitudes and under storm conditions.
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spelling doaj-art-303f82310bbd4c05b051a21a517eeaa42025-01-10T13:20:13ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922024-12-011719810.3390/rs17010098Comparisons and Analyses of Thermospheric Mass Densities Derived from Global Navigation Satellite System–Precise Orbit Determination and an Ionization Gauge–Orbital Neutral Atmospheric Detector Onboard a Spherical Satellite at 520 km AltitudeYujiao Jin0Xianguo Zhang1Maosheng He2Yongping Li3Xiangguang Meng4Jiangzhao Ai5Bowen Wang6Xinyue Wang7Yueqiang Sun8National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, ChinaNational Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, ChinaNational Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, ChinaNational Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, ChinaNational Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, ChinaNational Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, ChinaNational Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, ChinaNational Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, ChinaNational Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, ChinaThermospheric mass densities are investigated to explore their responses to solar irradiance and geomagnetic activity during the period from 31 October to 7 November 2021. Utilizing data from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) payload and an ionization gauge mounted on the Orbital Neutral Atmospheric Detector (OAD) payload onboard the QQ-Satellite, thermospheric mass densities are derived through two independent means: precise orbit determination (POD) and pressure measurements. For the first time, observations of these two techniques are compared and analyzed in this study to demonstrate similarities and differences. Both techniques exhibit similar spatial–temporal variations, with clear dependences on local solar time (LT). However, the hemispheric asymmetry is almost absent in simulations from the NRLMSISE-00 and DTM94 models compared with observations. At high latitudes, density enhancements of observations and simulations are shown, characterized by periodic bulge structures. In contrast, only the OAD-derived densities exhibit wave-like disturbances that propagate from two poles to lower latitudes during geomagnetic storm periods, suggesting a connection to traveling atmospheric disturbances (TADs). Over the long term, thermospheric mass densities derived from the two means of POD and the OAD show good agreements, yet prominent discrepancies emerge during specific periods and under different space-weather conditions. We propose possible interpretations as well as suggestions for utilizing these two means. Significantly, neutral winds should be considered in both methods, particularly at high latitudes and under storm conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/1/98thermospheric mass densityprecise orbit determinationionization gaugeGNSSspherical satellitedifference analysis
spellingShingle Yujiao Jin
Xianguo Zhang
Maosheng He
Yongping Li
Xiangguang Meng
Jiangzhao Ai
Bowen Wang
Xinyue Wang
Yueqiang Sun
Comparisons and Analyses of Thermospheric Mass Densities Derived from Global Navigation Satellite System–Precise Orbit Determination and an Ionization Gauge–Orbital Neutral Atmospheric Detector Onboard a Spherical Satellite at 520 km Altitude
Remote Sensing
thermospheric mass density
precise orbit determination
ionization gauge
GNSS
spherical satellite
difference analysis
title Comparisons and Analyses of Thermospheric Mass Densities Derived from Global Navigation Satellite System–Precise Orbit Determination and an Ionization Gauge–Orbital Neutral Atmospheric Detector Onboard a Spherical Satellite at 520 km Altitude
title_full Comparisons and Analyses of Thermospheric Mass Densities Derived from Global Navigation Satellite System–Precise Orbit Determination and an Ionization Gauge–Orbital Neutral Atmospheric Detector Onboard a Spherical Satellite at 520 km Altitude
title_fullStr Comparisons and Analyses of Thermospheric Mass Densities Derived from Global Navigation Satellite System–Precise Orbit Determination and an Ionization Gauge–Orbital Neutral Atmospheric Detector Onboard a Spherical Satellite at 520 km Altitude
title_full_unstemmed Comparisons and Analyses of Thermospheric Mass Densities Derived from Global Navigation Satellite System–Precise Orbit Determination and an Ionization Gauge–Orbital Neutral Atmospheric Detector Onboard a Spherical Satellite at 520 km Altitude
title_short Comparisons and Analyses of Thermospheric Mass Densities Derived from Global Navigation Satellite System–Precise Orbit Determination and an Ionization Gauge–Orbital Neutral Atmospheric Detector Onboard a Spherical Satellite at 520 km Altitude
title_sort comparisons and analyses of thermospheric mass densities derived from global navigation satellite system precise orbit determination and an ionization gauge orbital neutral atmospheric detector onboard a spherical satellite at 520 km altitude
topic thermospheric mass density
precise orbit determination
ionization gauge
GNSS
spherical satellite
difference analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/1/98
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