To be able to understand and predict space weather better, global in-situ satellite measurements are needed at an altitude of 100-150 km. However, due to the high density, space weather induced winds and the lack of data, it is a challenge to design a satellite mission to that region. Therefore, in this thesis, the influence of horizontal wind on satellite aerodynamics in the lower thermosphere is analyzed. The impact of the choice in satellite geometry design and orbital parameters on the satellite's aerodynamics and wind sensitivity is tested. To model satellite aerodynamics in this high-density region, a method of using the Stochastic PArallel Rarefied-gas Time-accurate Analyzer, SPARTA, is proposed. It is proven that the worst-case horizontal wind can have a negligible influence on the satellite’s drag coefficient depending on its attitude and satellite geometry. Based on the obtained conclusions, recommendations are given to simplify the design process and reduce aerodynamic drag. ... Read more