Astrid-2: An Advanced Auroral Microprobe

摘要: ABSTRACT Astrid-2 is an advanced auroral microprobe with dual primary mission objectives; to do high-quality in situ measurements of the physical processes behind aurora, and demonstrate usefulness microspacecraft as research tools. Mission success will open up entirely new possibilities carry out low-budget multipoint near-Earth space. This long-desired kind are next major step forward experimental space physics. has platform dimensions 45 × 45 × 30 cm, a total mass just below 30 kg, carries scientific instruments for measuring local electric magnetic fields, plasma density fluctuations, ions electrons, well photometers remote imaging emissions. Attitude determination provided by high-precision star imager. Some 250 Mbytes’ worth data be received each day at two ground stations. launched piggy-back on Russian Kosmos-3 M launcher into 83 deg inclination circular orbit 1000 km altitude. Nodal regression give complete coverage all time sectors every 3.5 months.