scope:

Abstract:

The Student Nitric Oxide Explorer (SNOE) spacecraft and its instruments were designed and built at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) of the University of Colorado. SNOE was a small scientific satellite that measured the effects of energy from the sun and from the magnetosphere on the density of nitric oxide in the Earth's upper atmosphere. The SNOE was launched on February 27, 1998 and reentered on December 13, 2003 at 09:34 GMT.

This document summarizes the lessons learned for the reentry of the SNOE. Even though SNOE was a small spacecraft that had little possibility of impacting the earth, it was an excellent opportunity for SSMO to work through our perceived reentry process. These lessons learned will help to clarify the activities during the reentry of any other NASA mission. Also, recommendations for changes to the NASA Policy Directive (NPD 8710.3A), NASA Policy for Limiting Orbital Debris Generation, will also be suggested.

Predicting reentry dates is an important task for NASA to maintain public safety. Despite any minimal probability for debris impacting, the mission specific program/project must be aware of all reentry related information including launch vehicles and upper stages.

Summary of Lessons Learned: