Modeling and computing the albedo and IR heat flux applied to a satellite based on the satellite's geographical position

In this paper, a precise method for calculating albedo and IR heat flux applied to a satellite is presented. For obtaining albedo heat flux applied to a satellite, a point on the earth’s surface that sun flux reflected at that point and reach to the satellite is obtained, hence albedo heat flux reaches to a satellite is obtained as a function of longitude, attitude and longitude. IR heat flux is integration of emitting heat flux for points on the earth surface that in satellite’s view. Atmospheric transparency for calculating albedo and IR heat is considered for sun light and IR spectrum using MODTRAN algorithm using PcModWin software. For a generic LEO satellite, IR and albedo heat fluxes are calculated at a time period and compare with reference values. Obtained heat fluxes are used to obtain temperature variation of satellite’s components during its mission.