Sublimation of Solid Particles Condensed from Rocket Exhausts in the Upper Atmosphere

摘要

The process of sublimation of water ice and solid carbon dioxide particles condensed from a rocket exhaust in the upper atmosphere is examined. Heating by solar radiation and losses of energy by means thermal radiation and sublimation are taken into account in the thermal balance of the particles. The time dependences of size and temperature of the particles are obtained. An estimation of water and carbon dioxide molecule concentration around the rocket trajectory is made. The process of sublimation of the rocket exhaust solid particles may be important for the interpretation of optical phenomena in the upper atmosphere connected with rocket launches and for propagation of disturbances at a large distance from the rocket.