Multi-Cubesat Mission For Auroral Acceleration Region Studies

• The Auroral Acceleration Region (AAR) is a key region in understanding the Magnetosphere-Ionosphere interaction. To understand the physical, spatial and temporal features of the region, multi-point measurements are required. Distributed small-satellite missions such as constellations of multiple nano satellites (for example multi-unit CubeSats) would enable such type of measurements. The capabilities of such a mission will highly depend on the number of satellites - one reason that makes low-cost platforms like CubeSats a very promising choice. In a previous study, the state-of-the-art of miniaturized payloads for AAR measurements was analyzed and evaluated and capabilities of different multi-CubeSat configurations equipped with such payloads in addressing different open questions in AAR were discussed. In this paper the mission analysis and possible mission design, as well as necessary technology developments of such multi-CubeSat mission are identified and presented.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Fusion, plasma och rymdfysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Fusion, Plasma and Space Physics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Geofysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Geophysics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Auroral Acceleration Region

Cube Satellites

Formation Flight

Mission Analysis

Orbit Optimisation

Onboard space systems

Rymdtekniska system

Strömningslära

Fluid Mechanics

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