AE-E MSIS Neutral Density Data with Orbital Parameters

NASA's Atmosphere Explorer E satellite measured neutral densities for hydrogen, nitrogen, and molecular oxygen using Bennett Ion-Mass Spectrometer and Open-Source Neutral Mass Spectrometer. The density numbers in cm-3 were provided by retired GSFC scientist A. Hedin and relate to his MSIS atmospheric model. The record also includes orbital parameters.

Use Cases

• Validate atmospheric density models based on neutral gas density measurements.
• Study the composition of the upper atmosphere based on hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen densities.
• Correlate atmospheric conditions with satellite position based on included orbital parameters.
• Support research on satellite drag and orbital decay based on neutral gas density data.

Strengths

• Data originates from NASA's Atmosphere Explorer E satellite mission.
• Density numbers were provided by A. Hedin, a key developer of the MSIS atmospheric model.
• Includes orbital parameters alongside neutral density measurements.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• File formats include BIN, which may require specialized tools for access.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Deduced from mass spectrometer measurements on the Atmosphere Explorer E satellite.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 04:38:49.435183; freshness should be verified.