Infrared luminescence of the intrinsic external atmosphere of spacecraft, caused by gas-phase chemiluminescence reactions

This paper proposes a model for the IR luminescence of the intrinsic external atmosphere of a spaceship, caused by gas-phase chemiluminescence reactions. Based on this model, analytic expressions are obtained for the radiance of the emission from the intrinsic external atmosphere observed during the flight of the Space Shuttle multiple-use spacecraft at an altitude of 260 km. (C) 1995 The Optical Society of America.