Methodology for estimating natural night lighting depending on meteorological conditions for search and rescue support of pilotated and automatic spacecraft flights

Natural night illumination is the main factor affecting the visibility of objects in the dark. The article proposes a method for determining the natural light during the dark time of day depending on meteorological conditions in the interests of search and rescue support for manned and automatic spacecraft flights. The dependences of the natural night illumination on the number and form of cloud cover are determined. A software package is proposed that allows to assess changes in natural light during the dark time of day, depending on the main factors affecting it and to visualize their changes for an adequate assessment of visibility conditions in the dark. © 2021, Univelt Inc. All rights reserved.