AllBert EinStein

Abstract

The AllBert EinStein project will provide data for fireball and space debris research by observing the controlled re-entry of one or more artificial meteoroids. For this purpose, a precisely characterized artificial meteoroid will be launched into space and subsequently burn up in the atmosphere. The resulting optical radiation and its spectral composition will be recorded via an airborne observation campaign. The resulting data will be used to determine the photometric radiation equivalent (luminous efficacy), a measure of energy conversion efficiency to optical radiation, and to verify laboratory experiments and models. This knowledge is particularly necessary for understanding the atmospheric entry of asteroids, as well as for analyzing the re-entry of space debris. Due to the simple mechanical, thermal, and electrical structure, as well as a short mission duration, the technical feasibility threshold is low and rapid and cost-effective development is possible. A reasonable first mission opportunity is the flight of the second Spectrum rocket by Isar Aerospace Technologies GmbH as part of the Spectrum Demonstration Flights.

Publications

  • Vovk, M., Koschny, D., Frühauf, M., Gscheidle, C., Hugentobler, U., Heumann, V., Lips, T., Fritsche, B., Maigler, M., Pessina, V., Šilha, J., Tóth, J., Pazderova, V. & Matlovič, P. (2023). Meteoroid ablation simulations with ESA’s SCARAB software. Planetary and Space Science, 238, 105785. [Download Paper]
  • Vovk, M., Koschny, D., Frühauf, M., Gscheidle, C. & Heumann, V. (2023). Artificial meteoroid re-entry simulations for the AllBert EinStein mission, WGN, the Journal of the IMO . International Meteor Organization51(2), 33-37. [Download Paper]
  • White Paper V1.0 (Deutsch, Englisch)