Atmospheric Properties

J. Gordon Leishman

doi:https://doi.org/10.15394/eaglepub.2022.1066.n10

11 Atmospheric Properties

Introduction

The performance of any atmospheric flight vehicle is affected by the density of the air in which it is flying. The pressure, temperature, and density of the air in the atmosphere are all functions of altitude. In particular, air density affects the aerodynamic performance of an aircraft in terms of its lift and drag but also the thrust and/or power output from its engines. The aerodynamic forces on a launch vehicle are also crucial during its flight within the lower parts of the atmosphere, as well as spacecraft in the high atmosphere during reentry. Finally, the readings on aircraft instruments, such as the altimeter and the airspeed indicator, which are pneumatic, also depend on the local properties found in the atmosphere.

It should be appreciated that the properties of the atmosphere vary from place to place over the Earth, from day to day, and even from hour to hour. Therefore, one problem that arises immediately is developing a means of standardizing the properties of the atmosphere for use in various types of measurements and for both engineering and aviation purposes. This issue is why defining a standard atmospheric model called the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) is necessary.

Learning Objectives

Know more about the composition and properties of the Earth’s atmosphere as a function of altitude or “height” from the surface.
Understand why a “standard” atmospheric model needs to be defined for use in engineering analysis and other areas of practical aviation.
Be able to calculate air properties in the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) using the ISA equations and also read the relevant properties from a table.

Composition of the Atmosphere

Aeronautical engineers are concerned mainly about the properties of the air in the lower atmosphere where aircraft fly, which is called the troposphere, as shown in the figure below. In this regard, the relevant properties are pressure, temperature, density, viscosity, and the speed of sound. Air represents a mixture of several gases by volume, namely nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), noble gases (0.9%), carbon dioxide (less than 0.1%), and other trace gases. The natural winds and turbulence in the lower atmosphere keep these gases well mixed. Other materials naturally present in the atmosphere include water vapor, dust particles, viruses, bacteria, etc. Most dust particles are of volcanic origin, and because of their tiny sub-micron size, they remain suspended for a very long time. Notice from the figure below that the atmosphere naturally forms into a series of strata or “shells” where the air has different characteristics and properties. The troposphere is flattened somewhat towards the poles, which is because of the centrifugal effects caused by the Earth’s rotation.

The composition of the Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere naturally forms into a series of strata or “shells” with different characteristics and properties.

Astronautical engineers are concerned more about the atmospheric properties above the tropopause and into the stratosphere and mesosphere. Above the tropopause, the temperature and other properties of the atmosphere change differently compared to those in the troposphere. At higher altitudes above 300,000 ft (90 km), the different gases also begin to settle or separate into shells according to their respective densities, namely oxygen (heaviest), helium, and hydrogen (lightest). The edge of space is usually defined as 100 km (about 62 miles or 328,000 ft), which is called the Kármán Line. Although the Kármán line is an arbitrary boundary, it is widely recognized and used as a standard in the aerospace industry. It is also the reference altitude used by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) to define the edge of space.

General Properties of the Atmosphere

The figure below shows the temperature, pressure, and density variations in the atmosphere. Both pressure and density decrease quickly and asymptotically with height above mean sea level (MSL), which is not surprising because the pressure is related to the weight of air directly above; there is less weight of air above when going higher into the atmosphere.

Variations of pressure, temperature, and density in the Earth’s atmosphere. **Not to be used for quantitative evaluations.**

The temperature in the totality of the atmosphere is more complicated to describe. There are regions where the temperature increases with height and regions where the temperature decreases with height. The temperature decreases approximately linearly with height in the troposphere (below 36,000 ft or 12,000 m), although this rate can vary daily and from place to place. The region above the troposphere is called the stratosphere. In this region, temperature increases with increasing height because of how solar radiation affects this part of the atmosphere containing the ozone layer.

What is the ozone layer?

The ozone layer is a shell of the Earth’s stratosphere, located approximately 10 to 50 kilometers above the surface. It contains a high concentration of ozone (O₃) molecules, which are formed when oxygen (O₂) molecules are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun. The ozone layer plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth by absorbing the majority of the Sun’s harmful UV radiation, particularly the high-energy UV-B and UV-C rays. The discovery of the ozone layer and its significance in the 1970s led to international efforts to reduce the use of ozone-depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Development of the ISA model

The International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) model is an average representation of an ideal atmosphere. It is based on thermodynamic relationships (equation of state) and assumes that the atmosphere lacks water vapor, wind, and turbulence. The ISA has been established to provide a common reference standard of the lower atmosphere (i.e., in the troposphere) in terms of pressure, temperature, density, and other properties such as viscosity and speed of sound.

The ISA is necessary for the aerospace industry because it provides a standardized reference for calculating and testing aircraft and engine performance. With the ISA, engineers can predict and compare the performance of different aircraft designs under the same set of standard atmospheric conditions, making it easier to compare the performance of different aircraft. In addition to its use in performance calculations, the ISA is also a reference for instrument calibration. By calibrating instruments such as altimeters and airspeed indicators relative to the ISA, all such instruments will show identical readings under the same atmospheric conditions, regardless of the actual conditions on any given day or time.

It is essential to recognize that the ISA model is not a meteorological model of actual atmospheric conditions, e.g., from barometric pressure changes or wind conditions. Neither does it account for humidity effects; the air in the ISA model is assumed to be dry, clean, and of constant composition. However, humidity effects are typically accounted for in the flight vehicle performance or engine analysis by applying a correction factor after obtaining the pressure and density from the ISA model, as discussed later.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) publishes the ISA model as International Standard ISO 2533:1975. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has also adopted the ISA model, which is used universally throughout all aspects of civil aviation. A document on the ISA standard can also be obtained from NOAA.

Tables of ISA properties are published for discrete altitude values incremented in a few hundred feet or meters in many sources, including almost every textbook on aerodynamics and aircraft performance. These ISA tables can be used to find appropriate values at intermediate altitudes by using linear interpolation, recognizing that interpolation is a straightforward process but is also approximate. A much better approach, in general, is to calculate the properties for any specified altitude using the equations of the ISA, which will now be determined.

Equations of the ISA in the Troposphere

The equations of the ISA can be established starting from the hydrostatic equation, which has already been introduced, i.e., using

(1) $\begin{equation*} \frac{dp}{dh} = -\varrho g \end{equation*}$

Remember that the hydrostatic equation is an ordinary differential equation that relates the change in pressure $dp$ in a fluid with respect to a change in vertical height $dh$ . Usually, when dealing with the atmosphere, the symbol $h$ is used instead of $z$ to represent “height” or altitude. In this case, the height is measured relative to mean sea level or MSL.

Temperature Variation

The temperature $T$ in the standard atmosphere is assumed to be a linearly decreasing function of altitude, which is a good statistical approximation to the actual average temperature variation in the atmosphere and can be expressed by

(2) $\begin{equation*} T = T_0 - B \, h = 59 -\left( \frac{3.57}{1,000} \right) h \quad \hbox{in units of $^{\circ}$F} \end{equation*}$

or

(3) $\begin{equation*} T = 59 - 0.00357 h \quad \hbox{in units of $^{\circ}$F} \end{equation*}$

where $h$ , in this case, is expressed in feet (ft), and $B$ is a constant and is known as the standard atmospheric lapse rate. This temperature lapse equation is valid only to the troposphere’s limits or about 36,000 ft, which is called the tropopause. After that, the temperature stays constant, up to about 65,000 ft.

The value of $B$ is 3.57 $^{\circ}$ F per 1,000 ft of altitude or 0.00357 $^{\circ}$ F per ft = 0.00357 $^{\circ}$ R per ft. In practice, lapse rates will change with the level of humidity. The dry adiabatic lapse rate is about 5.5 $^{\circ}$ F per 1,000 ft of altitude, and the moist lapse rate ranges varies between 2–3 $^{\circ}$ F per 1,000 ft of altitude; the ISA model uses a lapse rate that is between these two other lapse rates.

In SI units, the atmospheric temperature lapse equation can be written as

(4) $\begin{equation*} T = T_0 - B h = 15 - \left( \frac{6.5}{1,000} \right) h\quad \hbox{in units of $^{\circ}$C} \end{equation*}$

or

(5) $\begin{equation*} T = 15 - 0.0065 h\quad \hbox{in units of $^{\circ}$C} \end{equation*}$

where $h$ is expressed in meters (m) and the lapse rate in this case is 6.5 $^{\circ}$ C per 1,000 m. This lapse rate is equivalent to 1.981 $^{\circ}$ C per 1,000 ft, giving

(6) $\begin{equation*} T = 15 - 0.001981 \, h \quad \hbox{in units of $^{\circ}$C} \end{equation*}$

with $h$ being measured in feet (ft). It is standard practice to measure altitude in feet for aeronautical and aviation purposes although, if needed, the conversion is 1 meter (m) = 3.28084 feet (ft).

Often the ratio of the ISA temperature at a given altitude to the MSL temperature is used, which is given the symbol $\theta$ , i.e.,

(7) $\begin{equation*} \theta = \frac{T}{T_0} \end{equation*}$

Solutions for Pressure & Density

In summary, three equations are now available:

1. The hydrostatic equation, which is an ordinary differential equation, i.e.,

(8) $\begin{equation*} \frac{dp}{dh} = -\varrho g \end{equation*}$

2. An equation for the linear temperature variation or lapse with height, i.e.,

(9) $\begin{equation*} T = T_0 - B \, h \end{equation*}$

3. The thermodynamic equation of state, i.e.,

(10) $\begin{equation*} p = \varrho R T \end{equation*}$

Substituting the latter two equations (Eqs. 9 and 10) into the hydrostatic equation (Eq. 8) gives

(11) $\begin{equation*} \frac{dp}{dh} = -\varrho g = - \frac{p g}{R T} = - \frac{p g}{R (T_0 - B \, h)} \end{equation*}$

which is the governing equation that now needs to be solved.

By means of separation of variables and integrating between MSL ( $h = 0, p = p_0$ ) and the height of interest, $h$ where the pressure is $p$ gives

(12) $\begin{equation*} \int_{p_0}^{p} \frac{dp}{p} = - \int_{0}^{h} \frac{g}{R (T_0 - B \, h)} dh = - \frac{g}{R} \int_{0}^{h} \frac{dh}{T_0 - B \, h} \end{equation*}$

Performing the integration gives

(13) $\begin{equation*} \frac{p}{p_0} = \bigg( 1 - \frac{B}{T_0} \, h \bigg)^{\displaystyle{\frac{g}{R B}}} \end{equation*}$

The corresponding density ratio is

(14) $\begin{equation*} \frac{\varrho}{\varrho_0}= \bigg( 1 - \frac{B}{T_0} \, h \bigg)^{\left(\displaystyle{\frac{g}{R B}} - 1 \right)} \end{equation*}$

ISA Pressure Variations

The resulting pressure in the ISA, $p$ , at any altitude $h$ relative to the value at MSL, $p_0$ , becomes

(15) $\begin{equation*} \frac{p}{p_0} = \delta = \left( 1 - 6.883\times 10^{-6} \, h \right)^{g/RB} = \left( 1 - 6.883\times 10^{-6} \, h \right)^{5.256} \end{equation*}$

where $h$ in this latter equation is measured in feet (ft). Notice that in USC then

(16) $\begin{equation*} \frac{B}{T_0} = \frac{3.57/1,000}{59.0+ 459.67} = 6.883\times 10^{-6} \end{equation*}$

Remember that $R$ is the gas constant for air, which in USC units is 1716.49 ft lb slug $^{-1}$ R $^{-1}$ and in SI units it is 287.057 J kg $^{-1}$ K $^{-1}$ . Therefore, the value of $g/RB$ , which is a non-dimensional grouping, is

(17) $\begin{equation*} \frac{g}{R B} = \frac{32.17}{1716.49 \times 0.00357} = \frac{9.81}{287.057 \times 0.0065} = 5.256 \end{equation*}$

so its numerical value does not depend on the units system. If $h$ were to be measured in meters (m), then

(18) $\begin{equation*} \frac{p}{p_0} = \delta = \left( 1 - 2.256\times 10^{-5} \, h \right)^{5.256} \end{equation*}$

where in this case

(19) $\begin{equation*} \frac{B}{T_0} = \frac{6.5/1,000}{15.0+ 273.15} = 2.256\times 10^{-5} \end{equation*}$

Under standard MSL conditions, the value of $p_0$ is 2116.4 lb/ft $^2$ or 101,325 N/m $^{^2}$ .

ISA Density Variations

The corresponding density $\varrho$ in the ISA at any altitude can be calculated by invoking the thermodynamic equation of state. The pressure and density are related using

(20) $\begin{equation*} \frac{\varrho}{\varrho_0} = \frac{p}{p_0} \left( \frac{T_0}{T} \right) \end{equation*}$

Therefore, if the local temperature corresponds to the standard local temperature in the ISA, i.e., $T_0 - B \, h$ , then

(21) $\begin{equation*} \frac{\varrho}{\varrho_0} = \frac{p}{p_0} \left( \frac{T_0}{T_0 - B \, h} \right) \end{equation*}$

and so the local density in the ISA relative to MSL is

(22) $\begin{equation*} \frac{\varrho}{\varrho_0} = \sigma = \bigg( 1 - 6.883\times 10^{-6}\, h \bigg)^{\left(\displaystyle{\frac{g}{R B} - 1 \right)} = \left( 1 - 6.883\times 10^{-6} \, h \right)^{4.256} \end{equation*}$

where $h$ is measured in feet (ft). If $h$ is measured in meters (m), then

(23) $\begin{equation*} \frac{\varrho}{\varrho_0} = \sigma = \left( 1 - 2.256\times 10^{-5} \, h \right)^{4.256} \end{equation*}$

Under standard MSL conditions the value of $\varrho_0$ is 0.002378 slugs/ft $^2$ or 1.225 kg/m $^{^3}$ .

Summary of ISA Properties at MSL

Values of the ISA properties at standard MSL conditions are useful to have on hand, and these are given in the table below.

Table of ISA Properties at MSL.
Property	Symbol	SI units	USC units
Pressure	$p_0$	1.01325 $\times$ 10 $^{5}$ Nm $^{-2}$ (Pa)	2116.4 lb/ft $^2$
Density	$\varrho_0$	1.225 kg m $^{-3}$	0.002378 slugs ft $^{-3}$
Temperature	$T_0$	288.15 K	518.67 R
Dynamic viscosity	$\mu_0$	1.789 $\times$ 10 $^{-5}$ kg m $^{-1}$ s $^{-1}$	3.737 $\times$ 10 $^{-7}$ slugs ft $^{-1}$ s $^{-1}$
Speed of sound	$a_0$	340.3 m s $^{-1}$	1116.47 ft s $^{-1}$
Gas constant	$R$	287.057 J kg $^{-1}$ K $^{-1}$	1716.59 ft lb slug $^{-1}$ R $^{-1}$

Worked Example #1

Calculate the properties of the ISA using the relvant equations. You may do this in SI or USC units, but it is best to try to calculate the properties in both sets of units.

The equations for the ISA are relatively easy to program in MATLAB; below is a short piece of code used to calculate such properties in the troposphere.

g=9.81; % acceleration under gravity in m/s^2
B=-0.0065; % temp lapse rate in ISA in Kelvin/meter
R=287.05; % gas constant for air
T_sl=288.15; % ISA MSL standard temperature in Kelvin
p_sl=1.01325e+5; % standard pressure at sea level in Pascals
rho_sl=p_sl/(R*T_sl) % use ideal gas law to get density
a_sl=sqrt(1.40*p_sl/rho_sl) % speed of sound at sea level
z=linspace(0,10000,1000); % calculate ISA properties up to the tropopause
T_z=T_sl+B.*z;
p_z=p_sl.*((1+B.*z./T_sl).^(-g/(R*B)));
rho_z=p_z./(R.*T_z);
mu_z=1.458e-6.*sqrt(T_z)./(1.0+0+110.40./T_z); % Sutherland’s law
a_z=sqrt(1.40.*p_z./rho_z); % speed of sound

The outcomes can be plotted as follows:

Variation of density in the ISA measured in SI units.

Variation of pressure in the ISA measured in SI units.

Variation of temperature in the ISA measured in SI units.

Variation of viscosity in the ISA measured in SI units.

Correction Factors for Humidity

The changes in air density from changes in humidity tend to be small but they can still have an impact in some applications. To account for this, a correction factor is applied to account for the change in air density with varying levels of humidity. This correction can range from 1–2% and is important to consider in applications where air density plays a more important role, such as aviation, aerospace engineering, and meteorology.

It should be appreciated that the addition of humidity to air will decrease its density. The reason is that air comprises mainly nitrogen molecules and oxygen molecules, i.e., N₂ and O_2,with air being composed of 78% nitrogen and 20% oxygen. Nitrogen has an atomic weight of 14, so an N₂ molecule has an atomic weight of 28. Oxygen has an atomic weight of 16, so an O₂ molecule has an atomic weight of 32. Therefore, the overall atomic weight of air is about 28. Water, which is an H₂O molecule, has an atomic weight of 18. Therefore, the mass of the air per unit volume (i.e., the density) will decrease as water vapor is added, with the conclusion that moist air will be less dense than dry air.

There are different methods to determine the correction factor for the effects of humidity on air density, such as using wet and dry bulb temperature measurements or finding the dew point. These methods allow for accurate correction of the small, but non-negligible, impact that humidity can have on air density. In aviation and wind tunnel measurements, it is important to correct for the effects of humidity on density, especially in flight testing and performance measurements, because small errors in air density can accumulate and result in overall inaccuracies.

Other Atmospheric Models

Various other extended atmospheric models are used to represent the characteristics of the atmosphere above the tropopause and into space. One purpose of using these models is to help predict the orbital decay of satellites from atmospheric drag.

Approximate Model for the Troposphere

In aerodynamics, air density is frequently calculated to determine aircraft and engine performance. In the lower atmosphere where many general aviation aircraft normally fly (say, below 20,000 ft or 6,000 m), the standard value of air density can be closely approximated by the equation

(24) $\begin{equation*} \frac{\varrho}{\varrho_0} = \exp \left( \frac{-0.0297 h}{1000} \right) \end{equation*}$

where $h$ is expressed in feet (ft) and $\varrho_0 = 0.002378$ slugs ft $^{-3}$ . In SI units the corresponding equation is

(25) $\begin{equation*} \frac{\varrho}{\varrho_0} = \exp \left( \frac{ -0.0296 h}{304.8} \right) \end{equation*}$

where $h$ is expressed in meters (m) and $\varrho_0 = 1.225$ kg/m $^3$ .

ICAO extended ISA model

The ICAO has published an extended ISA model as “ICAO Standard Atmosphere” (Document 7488-CD). It has the same model as the ISA in the troposphere but extends the altitude coverage to 80 km (262,500 ft). The temperature and pressure values defined by ICAO for the extended model are given in the table below. Notice that one hectoPascal (hPa) is equal to 100 Pascals. Hectopascals are typically used in barometric pressure measurements.

Values used for the ICAO extended ISA model.
Altitude (km)	Altitude (ft)	Temp. ( $^{\circ}$ C)	Press. (hPa)	Lapse Rate ( $^{\circ}$ C/1,000 ft)
0	MSL	15.0	1013.25	-1.98 (Troposphere)
11	36,000	-56.5	226.00	0.00 (Stratosphere)
20	65,000	-56.5	54.70	-0.3 (Stratosphere)
32	105,000	-44.5	8.68

NLR and Air Force Models

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NLR) has developed a model of the Earth’s atmosphere from Earth’s surface to space. One use of this model is to help engineers predict the orbital decay of satellites from atmospheric drag. The U.S. Air Force Space Command and Space Environment Technologies have also developed a model for the Earth’s atmosphere from 120 km to 2,000 km.

Tables of ISA Properties

The equations of the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) have now been introduced. All aerospace engineers must understand the ISA properties and how the ISA is used for both engineering and other aviation purposes. In addition, it is necessary to practice to be able to apply the equations of the ISA to calculate temperature, pressure, and density (for both standard and non-standard conditions) and in appropriate engineering units, i.e., USC and SI. Handy online ISA calculators are also available.

It is also necessary to be able to read values of pressure, temperature, and density from tables of ISA properties, which are listed for discrete values of altitude in almost every aerodynamics textbook; an example is shown below. These tables can be used with linear interpolation methods to find approximate values at intermediate altitudes. For example, the table below gives ISA properties from -1,000 feet to 65,000 feet in 1,000-foot intervals. Recall that $\sigma$ is density divided by MSL density, $\delta$ is the pressure divided by MSL pressure, and $\theta$ is the temperature divided by MSL temperature. Notice that the temperature, $T$ , in the table below is in units of degrees Rankine ( $^{\circ}$ R), pressure, $p$ , is in units of pounds per square foot (lb ft $^{-2}$ ), the density, $\varrho$ , is in units of slugs per cubic foot (slugs ft $^{-3}$ ), the speed of sound, $a$ , is in speed of feet per second (ft s $^{-1}$ ), and the viscosity, $\mu$ , is in units of slugs per foot-second (slugs ft $^{-1}$ s $^{-1}$ ).

Table of ISA values in USC units in steps of 1,000 feet.
Altitude $h$	$\sigma$	$\delta$	$\theta$	$T$	$p$	$\varrho$	$a$	$\mu \times 10^6$
-1	1.0296	1.0367	1.0069	522.2	2193.8	0.0024472	1120.3	0.376
0	1	1	1	518.7	2116.2	0.0023769	1116.5	0.374
1	0.9711	0.9644	0.9931	515.1	2040.9	0.0023081	1112.6	0.372
2	0.9428	0.9298	0.9863	511.5	1967.7	0.0022409	1108.7	0.37
3	0.9151	0.8963	0.9794	508	1896.7	0.0021752	1104.9	0.368
4	0.8881	0.8637	0.9725	504.4	1827.7	0.0021109	1101	0.366
5	0.8617	0.8321	0.9656	500.8	1760.9	0.0020482	1097.1	0.364
6	0.8359	0.8014	0.9588	497.3	1696	0.0019869	1093.2	0.362
7	0.8107	0.7717	0.9519	493.7	1633.1	0.001927	1089.3	0.36
8	0.7861	0.7429	0.945	490.2	1572.1	0.0018685	1085.3	0.358
9	0.7621	0.7149	0.9381	486.6	1512.9	0.0018113	1081.4	0.355
10	0.7386	0.6878	0.9313	483	1455.6	0.0017555	1077.4	0.353
11	0.7157	0.6616	0.9244	479.5	1400.1	0.0017011	1073.4	0.351
12	0.6933	0.6362	0.9175	475.9	1346.2	0.001648	1069.4	0.349
13	0.6715	0.6115	0.9107	472.3	1294.1	0.0015961	1065.4	0.347
14	0.6502	0.5877	0.9038	468.8	1243.6	0.0015455	1061.4	0.345
15	0.6295	0.5646	0.8969	465.2	1194.8	0.0014962	1057.4	0.343
16	0.6092	0.5422	0.8901	461.7	1147.5	0.001448	1053.3	0.341
17	0.5895	0.5206	0.8832	458.1	1101.7	0.0014011	1049.2	0.339
18	0.5702	0.4997	0.8763	454.5	1057.5	0.0013553	1045.1	0.337
19	0.5514	0.4795	0.8695	451	1014.7	0.0013107	1041	0.335
20	0.5332	0.4599	0.8626	447.4	973.3	0.0012673	1036.9	0.332
21	0.5153	0.441	0.8558	443.9	933.3	0.0012249	1032.8	0.33
22	0.498	0.4227	0.8489	440.3	894.6	0.0011836	1028.6	0.328
23	0.4811	0.4051	0.842	436.7	857.2	0.0011435	1024.5	0.326
24	0.4646	0.388	0.8352	433.2	821.2	0.0011043	1020.3	0.324
25	0.4486	0.3716	0.8283	429.6	786.3	0.0010663	1016.1	0.322
26	0.433	0.3557	0.8215	426.1	752.7	0.0010292	1011.9	0.319
27	0.4178	0.3404	0.8146	422.5	720.3	0.0009931	1007.7	0.317
28	0.4031	0.3256	0.8077	419	689	0.000958	1003.4	0.315
29	0.3887	0.3113	0.8009	415.4	658.8	0.0009239	999.1	0.313
30	0.3747	0.2975	0.794	411.8	629.7	0.0008907	994.8	0.311
31	0.3611	0.2843	0.7872	408.3	601.6	0.0008584	990.5	0.308
32	0.348	0.2715	0.7803	404.7	574.6	0.000827	986.2	0.306
33	0.3351	0.2592	0.7735	401.2	548.5	0.0007966	981.9	0.304
34	0.3227	0.2474	0.7666	397.6	523.5	0.000767	977.5	0.302
35	0.3106	0.236	0.7598	394.1	499.3	0.0007382	973.1	0.3
36	0.2988	0.225	0.7529	390.5	476.1	0.0007103	968.7	0.297
37	0.2852	0.2145	0.7519	390	453.9	0.000678	968.1	0.297
38	0.2719	0.2044	0.7519	390	432.6	0.0006463	968.1	0.297
39	0.2592	0.1949	0.7519	390	412.4	0.0006161	968.1	0.297
40	0.2471	0.1858	0.7519	390	393.1	0.0005873	968.1	0.297
41	0.2355	0.1771	0.7519	390	374.7	0.0005598	968.1	0.297
42	0.2245	0.1688	0.7519	390	357.2	0.0005336	968.1	0.297
43	0.214	0.1609	0.7519	390	340.5	0.0005087	968.1	0.297
44	0.204	0.1534	0.7519	390	324.6	0.0004849	968.1	0.297
45	0.1945	0.1462	0.7519	390	309.4	0.0004623	968.1	0.297
46	0.1854	0.1394	0.7519	390	295	0.0004407	968.1	0.297
47	0.1767	0.1329	0.7519	390	281.2	0.0004201	968.1	0.297
48	0.1685	0.1267	0.7519	390	268.1	0.0004005	968.1	0.297
49	0.1606	0.1208	0.7519	390	255.5	0.0003817	968.1	0.297
50	0.1531	0.1151	0.7519	390	243.6	0.0003639	968.1	0.297
51	0.146	0.1097	0.7519	390	232.2	0.0003469	968.1	0.297
52	0.1391	0.1046	0.7519	390	221.4	0.0003307	968.1	0.297
53	0.1326	0.0997	0.7519	390	211	0.0003153	968.1	0.297
54	0.1264	0.0951	0.7519	390	201.2	0.0003006	968.1	0.297
55	0.1205	0.0906	0.7519	390	191.8	0.0002865	968.1	0.297
56	0.1149	0.0864	0.7519	390	182.8	0.0002731	968.1	0.297
57	0.1096	0.0824	0.7519	390	174.3	0.0002604	968.1	0.297
58	0.1044	0.0785	0.7519	390	166.2	0.0002482	968.1	0.297
59	0.0996	0.0749	0.7519	390	158.4	0.0002367	968.1	0.297
60	0.0949	0.0714	0.7519	390	151	0.0002256	968.1	0.297
61	0.0905	0.068	0.7519	390	144	0.0002151	968.1	0.297
62	0.0863	0.0649	0.7519	390	137.3	0.000205	968.1	0.297
63	0.0822	0.0618	0.7519	390	130.9	0.0001955	968.1	0.297
64	0.0784	0.059	0.7519	390	124.8	0.0001864	968.1	0.297
65	0.0747	0.0562	0.7519	390	118.9	0.0001777	968.1	0.297

Worked Example #2

The Viking landers have measured the atmospheric properties of Mars, and engineers have determined that the atmosphere has a linear thermal gradient layer from $z$ = 0 to 40 km and an isothermal layer from $z$ = 40 km to 80 km. The lapse rate $B$ in the temperature gradient layer is 2 $^{\circ}$ K/km. If the pressure and temperature at the surface of Mars are 230 $^{\circ}$ K and 750 Pa, respectively, then determine:

The density of the Martian atmosphere at its surface.
The pressure and density of the Martian atmosphere at 20 km and 40 km.
The temperature, pressure and density of the Martian atmosphere at 60 km.

Hint: The specific gas constant on Mars is 188.92 J kg $^{-1} ^{\circ}$ K $^{-1}$ and the gravitational acceleration is 3.8 ms^-2

Assume the validity of an ideal gas and so use the gas-specific equation of state, i.e.,
$p = \varrho R T \quad \mbox{or} \quad \varrho = \frac{p}{R \, T}$

where $R$ on Mars is 188.92 J kg $^{-1}$ $^{\circ}$ K $^{-1}$ . At the surface of Mars with $T$ = 230 $^{\circ}$ K and $p$ =750 Pa then

$\varrho_0 = \frac{p_0}{R \, T_0} = \frac{750.0}{188.92 \times 230} = 0.01726~\mbox{kg/m$^3$}$
In the non-isothermal layer with the constant temperature lapse rate (and so the linearly decreasing temperature gradient) then at 20 km from the surface of Mars the temperature is
$T_{\rm 20} = T_0 + B z = 230 - (2 \times 20 ) = 190~\mbox{$^{\circ}$K}$

The pressure change with a linear thermal gradient with temperature lapse $B$ between two heights $z_1$ and $z_2$ is

$\frac{p_2}{p_1} = \bigg( \frac{T_2}{T_1} \bigg)^{-g/RB} = \bigg( \frac{T_1 - B (z_2 - z_1)}{T_1} \bigg)^{-g/RB}$

The exponent $g/RB$ for Mars is

$\frac{g}{R \, B} = \frac{ 3.8}{188.92 \times 2/1000} = 10.0572$

The pressure at 20 km is

$p_{20} = p_0 \bigg( \frac{T_1 - B (z_2 - z_1)}{T_1} \bigg)^{-10.0572} = 750.0 \bigg( \frac{230 - 2 \times 20}{230} \bigg)^{-10.571}$

Therefore,

$p_{20} = 109.79~\mbox{ Pa}$

Using the equation of state the for the density at 20 km, then

$\varrho_{20} = \frac{p_{20}}{R T_{20}} = \frac{109.79}{188.92 \times 190} = 0.00305~\mbox{ kg/m$^3$}$

At 40 km then

$T_{40}= 230 - 2 \times 40 = 150~\mbox{$^{\circ}$K}$

so the pressure at 40 km on Mars is

$p_{40} = 750.0 \bigg( \frac{150}{230} \bigg)^{-10.0572} = 10.188~\mbox{ Pa}$

Using the equation of state for the density at 40 km then

$\varrho_{40} = \frac{p_{40}}{R T_{40}} = \frac{10.188}{188.92 \times 150} = 0.000359~\mbox{kg/m$^3$}$
For the isothermal layer then
$\frac{p_2}{p_1} = \exp\bigg( \frac{ -g (z_2 - z_1)}{R T_0}\bigg)$

So for an altitude of 60 km then

$T_{60} = T_{40} = 150~\mbox{$^{\circ}$K}$

The pressure at 60 km will be

$p_{60} = p_{40} \, \exp\bigg( \frac{ -g (h_{60} - h_{40})}{R \, T_{40}} \bigg)$

and inserting the values gives

$p_{60} = 10.188 \, \exp\bigg( \frac{-3.8 \times 1000 (60-40)}{188.92 \times 150}\bigg) = 0.697~\mbox{Pa}$

Finally, using the equation of state then the density at 60 km will be

$\varrho_{60} = \frac{p_{60}}{R T_{60}} = \frac{0.697}{188.92 \times 150} = 0.000024~\mbox{kg/m$^3$}$

Satellite Drag

The outer fringes of the Earth’s atmosphere extend from about 200 miles (320 km) to about 1,200 miles (2,000 km). Although the density here is much lower than in the troposphere and stratosphere, the residual atmosphere is still sufficient to create a drag force on anything in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which is really close to the Earth. Indeed, if the Earth were the size of an orange, then then LEO zone would be about the thickness of its skin! Satellites in LEO experience some aerodynamic drag causing their orbits to decay gradually, as illustrated in the figure below. Both the International Space Station (ISS) and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) operate in LEO.

Satellites in low Earth orbit will encounter drag from the residual atmosphere causing their orbits to decay.

The estimation of the orbital decay of objects in LEO is a complex process that requires a thorough understanding of the various factors that contribute to the decay. The atmospheric density models used for predicting orbital decay are semi-empirical, meaning they are based on a combination of theoretical models and empirical observations. These models consider various parameters such as the altitude of the satellite, its velocity, the solar cycle, and other factors that influence the atmospheric density. To compensate for the decay in the orbital altitude, then the satellite can use its thrusters to boost it back into the required orbit.

Are there aerosol particles in the atmosphere?

Yes! An interesting fact about the atmosphere is that it contains tiny particles known as aerosols, which play a significant role in various atmospheric processes. Aerosols can be natural or human-made and include dust, pollen, volcanic ash, soot, and pollutants. Despite their small size, aerosols can have a profound impact on climate and weather patterns. They can scatter and absorb sunlight, affecting the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. This, in turn, can influence temperature patterns and the formation of clouds. Aerosols also play a crucial role in the formation of cloud droplets. They act as “seeds” around which water vapor can condense, forming tiny droplets that make up clouds. Without aerosols, clouds would not form as easily or effectively.

Summary & Closure

When dealing with the performance of flight vehicles in the Earth’s atmosphere, it is essential to know (or estimate) the air density in which the vehicle is flying. The power and thrust from air-breathing powerplants are also affected by the air density in which they operate, their performance generally diminishing with increasing altitude and/or increasing temperature. To address these challenges, aeronautical engineers must have a deep understanding of the properties of the air in the troposphere and how these properties may impact the performance of their aircraft. They use this knowledge to make informed decisions about the design of the aircraft and to conduct tests to ensure that the aircraft meets its performance and safety requirements.

The International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) model forms a basis for standardization. The ISA is used universally in engineering and practical aviation, including as a basis for instrumentation calibration. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) publishes the ISA model as ISO 2533:1975. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has also adopted the ISA model, which is used universally throughout aviation. There are also various other extended atmospheric models to represent the characteristics of the atmosphere above the tropopause and into space, which may be needed for a variety of reasons including estimates of the drag on satellites in low Earth orbit. It may also be necessary to know the properties of the atmospheres on other planets, such as for probes or landers.

5-Question Self-Assessment Quickquiz

For Further Thought or Discussion

Program the ISA equations and plot the temperature, pressure, and density as a function of altitude in U.S. customary (USC) units.
Use the ISA tables to estimate air density at a pressure altitude of 5,500 ft where the temperature is 10 $^{\circ}$ F above standard. Confirm the result using the ISA equations.
On a given day, the air temperature at 2,000 feet above mean sea level is 5 $^{\circ}$ C. What is this temperature value compared to the ISA temperature?
In which atmospheric layer is most of the water vapor contained?
Why does the temperature of the atmosphere increase with increasing altitude within the stratosphere?

Additional Online Resources

To improve your understanding of the atmosphere and the ISA, navigate to some of these online resources:

High-definition video about the motion of the atmosphere.
Take a ride on a U-2 spy-plane through the atmosphere to the edge of space.
Try out this handy online ISA calculator.
A lecture video on the ISA from Delft University.
A YouTube video on the structure of the atmosphere for pilots.
A good video summary of the ISA.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License

Introduction to Aerospace Flight Vehicles by J. Gordon Leishman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/ https://doi.org/10.15394/eaglepub.2022.1066.n10