Reflectivity
Reflectivity is the measure of the ability of a surface or material to reflect electromagnetic radiation. In space and astronautical engineering, reflectivity is an important property of materials used in spacecraft and satellites. The reflectivity of a material determines how much of the incident radiation is reflected back into space and how much is absorbed by the material. This is important for controlling the temperature of the spacecraft and its components, as well as for communication and remote sensing applications. Reflectivity is often measured in terms of its albedo, which is the fraction of incident radiation that is reflected by a surface. High albedo materials are used for thermal control and low albedo materials are used for absorbing radiation for power generation or sensing applications.
Your Previous Searches
Random Picks
- Resilience-building Exercises: Resilience-building exercises refer to a set of activities or practices designed to enhance an individual's ability to cope with and recover from adversity, stress, or trauma in the context of space and astronautical engineering. These exer ... Read More >>
- Spacecraft Tracking And Control: Spacecraft Tracking and Control refers to the systems and techniques used to monitor and manage the trajectory, orientation, and systems of a spacecraft during its mission. This involves a combination of ground-based systems and onboard tec ... Read More >>
- Spacecraft Maneuvering: Spacecraft Maneuvering refers to the process of changing the trajectory or orientation of a spacecraft in space. This can be achieved through the use of thrusters, reaction wheels, or other propulsion systems. Maneuvering is necessary for a ... Read More >>
Top News
Check out this interactive map of the early universe, considered largest ever cr...
A team of astronomers have put together the largest, most detailed map of the universe ever created – and you can explore it now....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-12
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is about to totally transform astronomy...
With the ability to scan the entire southern night sky every three days, the huge Vera C. Rubin Observatory could be about to start solving the mysteries of the universe, from dark matter to Planet Ni...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-12
Trump's proposed science cuts will have huge consequences...
The universe will still be there to marvel at, despite brutal cuts set to hit NASA and the National Science Foundation's budgets. But the damage to future research will be long-lasting, says Chanda Pr...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-11
Starlink satellites are leaking radio signals that may ruin astronomy...
Our ability to study faint radio signals from when the first stars began to form is being threatened by SpaceX's Starlink satellites, which seem to be unintentionally leaking radio signals that overpo...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-09
Asteroids around Venus pose possible 'invisible threat' to Earth: Should you be ...
A swarm of large asteroids likely lurking around Venus could one day pose an "invisible threat" to Earth if left unchecked, astronomers have warned....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-06