Molecular shield: An orbiting low density materials laboratory

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Abstract
A molecular shield model in terrestrial orbit above 200 km is analyzed using the kinetic theory of a drifting Maxwellian gas. Data are presented for the components of the gas density within the shield due to the free stream atmosphere, the outgassing from the shield and enclosed experiments, and the atmospheric gas scattered off a shield–orbiter system. The disturbance caused by the orbiter for a 100-m separation produces a negligible effect on the shield density. From the analysis presented, the atmospheric component of the gas density within the shield is less than 103 cm−3, principally atomic hydrogen. (An equilibrium gas density of 103 cm−3 corresponds to a pressure of ?4.0×10−12 Pa at 300 K.)

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