Determination of the density of molecular flows falling on a body of arbitrary shape under conditions of free-molecular flow

Aim. The aim of this work was to develop an algorithm for determining the density of incident mass, momentum and energy flows on a body of complex shape, flown around by a highly rarefied gas. Methodology. The work uses methods of the molecular-kinetic theory of gases, aimed at determining the macroscopic characteristics of a rarefied gas flow. The work is based on the numerical solution of integrals of the Maxwell distribution function. Results. An algorithm has been developed and tested on a model simulating a device (solar battery panel, antenna, etc.) installed on the surface of a spacecraft body. Research implications . The developed algorithm can be used in problems related to determining the distribution of mass, momentum and energy flow densities over the surface of objects flown around by a highly rarefied gas medium, and in problems related to determining the characteristics of a spacecraft's own external atmosphere.