Appendix K - Atmospheric models

Summary

Introduction

Empirical models of the Venus and terrestrial upper atmospheres have been developed. Tables K.1 and K.2 provide representative values of the Venus neutral temperature and densities for noon and midnight conditions, respectively. The values are from the Venus International Reference Atmosphere (VIRA) model. Representative neutral temperatures and densities for the Earth's thermosphere are given in Tables K.3 to K.6. The tables provide typical values at noon and midnight for both solar maximum and minimum conditions, and for quiet geomagnetic activity. The neutral parameters are from the Mass Spectrometer and Incoherent Scatter (MSIS) empirical model.

The latest version of the MSIS empirical model covers both the lower and upper atmosphere and includes diurnal, semi-diurnal, and terdiurnal migrating tidal modes. A reference atmosphere for Mars that is based on measurements has not been developed. However, an engineering-level Mars atmosphere model that is based on models is available.