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On the Necessity and Feasibility of an Equatorial Magnetospheric ConstellationSynthesizing multi-point in-situ observations from the magnetosphere is the only way that we can retain an accurate knowledge of the driving mechanisms of convection and energy flow while "imaging" its vast volume. In addition to measuring the wavenumber of plasma instabilities thus opening up for study a previously unexplored domain of space plasma physics the Constellation mission can afford us a view of the rapid topological reconfigurations and the energy circulation throughout the astrophysical laboratory closest to human space activity. In this paper we argue that the deployment of approximately 80 autonomous micro-satellites (probes) to monitor the Earth's magnetosphere and measure the plasma and magnetic field in the near-equatorial magnetosphere is a necessary and sufficient condition for answering long standing, high priority questions regarding magnetospheric stability and dynamics. The proposed mission concept is technically feasible and fiscally modest. The probes can be raised from a Geosynchronous Transfer orbit to their final elliptical orbits with perigee approximately 3R(sub E)and apogees ranging from 12 to 42 R(sub E) by a single dispenser propelled by an ion engine. Each probe will weigh approximately 5 kg. The mission can form a cornerstone of an incrementally deployed Solar Terrestrial Probe Line Magnetospheric Constellation, as it requires no new technologies in the areas of spacecraft subsystems and instruments, but some development in the areas of dispenser design, probe packaging, mechanical release and spin-up. The technology developed can be utilized by follow-on Constellation class missions as well.
Document ID
19990027970
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Angelopoulos, V.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA United States)
Carlson, C. W.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA United States)
Curtis, D. W.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA United States)
Harvey, P.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA United States)
Lin, R. P.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA United States)
Mozer, F. S.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA United States)
Pankow, D. H.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA United States)
Raeder, J.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA United States)
Russell, C. T.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: Science Closure and Enabling Technologies for Constellation Class Missions
Subject Category
Geophysics
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: CS-55-97
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGw-5019
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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