Date of Award:
5-2015
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Committee Chair(s)
Heng Ban
Committee
Heng Ban
Committee
Charles M. Swenson
Committee
Rees R. Fullmer
Abstract
As charged particles from the Sun enter the Earth’s atmosphere and create the aurora borealis (Northern lights) and aurora australis (Southern lights), energy is transferred to the atmosphere. In order to better understand the energy transfer processes, the Auroral Spatial Structures Probe rocket was launched to make measurements in the active aurora. Several payloads were deployed by the rocket, each with sensors to measure the magnetic field and the electric field so that the way they change over time and in different positions could be observed. The measurements require accurate knowledge of the spacecraft orientation, and to that end this thesis discusses the way in which the orientation was estimated. Using the magnetic and electric field measurements and comparing these to predictions made by mathematical models of the fields, a good estimate was obtained for some of the payloads. The result of this is a good measurement of the magnetic and electric fields that may be used to achieve the scientific goals of the mission.
Checksum
4af5c29c29fd0289ab29401188856140
Recommended Citation
Martineau, Ryan J., "Parameterized Least-Squares Attitude History Estimation and Magnetic Field Observations of the Auroral Spatial Structures Probe" (2015). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 4482.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4482
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