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NASA NTRS2011

Observations of a Unique Type of ULF Waves by Low-Latitude Space Technology 5 Satellites

We report a unique type of ULF waves observed by low-altitude Space Technology 5 (ST-5) constellation mission. ST-5 is a three micro-satellite constellation deployed into a 300 x 4500 km, dawn-dusk, and sun synchronous polar orbit with 105.6deg inclination angle. Due to the Earth s rotation and the dipole tilt effect, the spacecraft s dawn-dusk orbit track can reach as low as subauroral latitudes during the course of a day. Whenever the spacecraft traverse across the dayside closed field line region at subauroral latitudes, they frequently observe strong transverse oscillations at 30-200 mHz, or in the Pc 2-3 frequency range. These Pc 2-3 waves appear as wave packets with durations in the order of 5-10 minutes. As the maximum separations of the ST-5 spacecraft are in the order of 10 minutes, the three ST-5 satellites often observe very similar wave packets, implying these wave oscillations occur in a localized region. The coordinated ground-based magnetic observations at the spacecraft footprints, however, do not see waves in the Pc 2-3 band; instead, the waves appear to be the common Pc 4-5 waves associated with field line resonances. We suggest that this unique Pc 2-3 waves seen by ST-5 are in fact the Doppler-shifted Pc 4-5 waves as a result of rapid traverse of the spacecraft across the resonant field lines azimuthally at low altitudes. The observations with the unique spacecraft dawn-disk orbits at proper altitudes and magnetic latitudes reveal the azimuthal characteristics of field-aligned resonances.

Le, G.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Observations of a Unique Type of ULF Waves by Low-Latitude Space Technology 5 Mission

We report a unique type of ULF waves observed by low-altitude Space Technology 5 (ST-5) constellation mission. ST-5 is a three micro-satellite constellation deployed into a 300 x 4500 km, dawn-dusk, and sun synchronous polar orbit with 105.6 degree inclination angle. Due to the Earth's rotation and the dipole tilt effect, the spacecraft's dawn-dusk orbit track can reach as low as subauroral latitudes during the course of a day. Whenever the spacecraft traverse across the dayside closed field line region at sub auroral latitudes, they frequently observe strong transverse oscillations at 30-200 mHz, or in the Pc 2-3 frequency range. These Pc 2-3 waves appear as wave packets with durations in the order of 5-10 minutes. As the maximum separations of the ST-5 spacecraft are in the order of 10 minutes, the three ST-5 satellites often observe very similar wave packets, implying these wave oscillations occur in a localized region. The coordinated ground-based magnetic observations at the spacecraft footprints, however, do not see waves in the Pc 2-3 band; instead, the waves appear to be the common Pc 4-5 waves associated with field line resonances. We suggest that these unique Pc 2-3 waves seen by ST-5 are in fact the Doppler-shifted Pc 4-5 waves as a result of rapid traverse of the spacecraft across the resonant field lines azimuthally at low altitudes. The observations with the unique spacecraft dawn-disk orbits at proper altitudes and magnetic latitudes reveal the azimuthal characteristics of field-aligned resonances.

Le, G.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Observations of a Unique Type of ULF Waves by Low-Latitude Space Technology Five Mission

We report a unique type of ULF waves observed by low-altitude Space Technology 5 (ST-5) constellation mission. ST-5 is a three micro-satellite constellation deployed into a 300 x 4500 km, dawn-dusk, and sun synchronous polar orbit with 105.6deg inclination angle. Due to the Earth s rotation and the dipole tilt effect, the spacecraft s dawn-dusk orbit track can reach as low as subauroral latitudes during the course of a day. Whenever the spacecraft traverse across the dayside closed field line region at subauroral latitudes, they frequently observe strong transverse oscillations at 30-200 mHz, or in the Pc 2-3 frequency range. These Pc 2-3 waves appear as wave packets with durations in the order of 5-10 minutes. As the maximum separations of the ST-5 spacecraft are in the order of 10 minutes, the three ST-5 satellites often observe very similar wave packets, implying these wave oscillations occur in a localized region. The coordinated ground-based magnetic observations at the spacecraft footprints, however, do not see waves in the Pc 2-3 band; instead, the waves appear to be the common Pc 4-5 waves associated with field line resonances. We suggest that these unique Pc 2-3 waves seen by ST-5 are in fact the Doppler-shifted Pc 4-5 waves as a result of rapid traverse of the spacecraft across the resonant field lines azimuthally at low altitudes. The observations with the unique spacecraft dawn-disk orbits at proper altitudes and magnetic latitudes reveal the azimuthal characteristics of field-aligned resonances.

Le, G.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Observations of a Unique Type of ULF Wave by Low-Altitude Space Technology 5 Satellites

We report a unique type of ULF waves observed by low-altitude Space Technology 5 (ST-5) constellation mission. ST-5 is a three-microsatellite constellation deployed into a 300 x 4500 km dawn-dusk and Sun-synchronous polar orbit with 105.6deg inclination angle. Because of the Earth's rotation and the dipole tilt effect, the spacecraft's dawn-dusk orbit track can reach as low as subauroral latitudes during the course of a day. Whenever the spacecraft traverse the dayside closed field line region at subauroral latitudes, they frequently observe strong transverse oscillations at 30-200 mHz, or in the Pc2-3 frequency range. These Pc2-3 waves appear as wave packets with durations in the order of 5-10 min. As the maximum separations of the ST-5 spacecraft are in the order of 10 min, the three ST-5 satellites often observe very similar wave packets, implying these wave oscillations occur in a localized region. The coordinated ground-based magnetic observations at the spacecraft footprints, however, do not see waves in the Pc2-3 band; instead, the waves appear to be the common Pc4-5 waves associated with field line resonances. We suggest that these unique Pc2-3 waves seen by ST-5 are in fact the Doppler-shifted Pc4-5 waves as a result of rapid traverse of the spacecraft across the resonant field lines azimuthally at low altitudes. The observations with the unique spacecraft dawn-dusk orbits at proper altitudes and magnetic latitudes reveal the azimuthal characteristics of field line resonances.

Le, G.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Optimal Electrodynamic Tether Phasing Maneuvers

We study the minimum-time orbit phasing maneuver problem for a constant-current electrodynamic tether (EDT). The EDT is assumed to be a point mass and the electromagnetic forces acting on the tether are always perpendicular to the local magnetic field. After deriving and non-dimensionalizing the equations of motion, the only input parameters become current and the phase angle. Solution examples, including initial Lagrange costates, time of flight, thrust plots, and thrust angle profiles, are given for a wide range of current magnitudes and phase angles. The two-dimensional cases presented use a non-tilted magnetic dipole model, and the solutions are compared to existing literature. We are able to compare similar trajectories for a constant thrust phasing maneuver and we find that the time of flight is longer for the constant thrust case with similar initial thrust values and phase angles. Full three-dimensional solutions, which use a titled magnetic dipole model, are also analyzed for orbits with small inclinations.

Bitzer, Matthew S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Waves in space plasma dipole antenna subsystem

The Waves In Space Plasma (WISP) flight experiment requires a 50-meter-long deployable dipole antenna subsystem (DASS) to radiate radio frequencies from the STS Orbiter cargo bay. The transmissions are to excite outer ionospheric plasma between the dipole and a free-flying receiver (Spartan) for scientific purposes. This report describes the singular DASS design requirements and how the resulting design satisfies them. A jettison latch is described in some detail. The latch releases the antenna in case of any problems which might prevent the bay doors from closing for re-entry and landing of the Orbiter.

Thomson, Mark↗
NASA NTRS1980

Electromagnetic scattering lifetimes for dust in Jupiter's ring

The lifetime of the charged, micron-sized dust particles found to lie in a ring at 1.8 Jupiter radii from Jupiter against electromagnetic scattering is estimated. Interactions of the particles with the Jovian magnetic field dipole are found to spread particle orbits out to a much greater extent than observed for particle charges greater than -10 V, and to result in slightly eccentric, open orbits for the dust particles, with eccentricities dependent on particle size. In addition, fluctuations within the magnetic field are found to lead to significant changes in the eccentricity and inclination of the ring particle orbits. It is concluded that Jovian ring particles, if charged to -10 V as is consistent with Voyager data, will be strongly perturbed and scattered on a short time scale (100 yr), so the ring must be constantly replenished or it is a temporary phenomenon. Finally, the dust cloud observed to extend above, below, and beyond the Jupiter ring is attributed to the electromagnetic scattering of particles smaller than the ring particles.

Consolmagno, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Plasmasphere formation in arbitrarily oriented magnetospheres

The formation of plasmaspheres in planetary magnetospheres with arbitrary orientations of the rotation and magnetic dipole axes is investigated. A traditional plasmasphere with closed orbits inside the plasmapause and open trajectories outside it only occurs for the limiting case of aligned rotation and dipole axes. A time-variable plasmapause exists if the rotation axis is perpendicular to the solar win flow direction. In any other case, no definite plasmapause exists. Solar wind-driven convection transports plasma throughout the magnetosphere with an effectiveness which increases as the orientation goes further from one of the two limiting cases of strict plasmapause formation. The present analysis is applied to earth and Uranus using the actual orientations of the rotation and dipole axes. Particle trajectories at earth deviate only slightly from those obtained with traditional models. Uranus has no plasmasphere, and plasma convects sunwards throughout the inner magnetosphere.

Selesnick, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Low-degree Structure in Mercury's Planetary Magnetic Field

The structure of Mercury's internal magnetic field has been determined from analysis of orbital Magnetometer measurements by the MESSENGER spacecraft. We identified the magnetic equator on 531 low-altitude and 120 high-altitude equator crossings from the zero in the radial cylindrical magnetic field component, Beta (sub rho). The low-altitude crossings are offset 479 +/- 6 km northward, indicating an offset of the planetary dipole. The tilt of the magnetic pole relative to the planetary spin axis is less than 0.8 deg.. The high-altitude crossings yield a northward offset of the magnetic equator of 486 +/- 74 km. A field with only nonzero dipole and octupole coefficients also matches the low-altitude observations but cannot yield off-equatorial Beta (sub rho) = 0 at radial distances greater than 3520 km. We compared offset dipole and other descriptions of the field with vector field observations below 600 km for 13 longitudinally distributed, magnetically quiet orbits. An offset dipole with southward directed moment of 190 nT-R-cube (sub M) yields root-mean-square (RMS) residuals below 14 nT, whereas a field with only dipole and octupole terms tuned to match the polar field and the low-altitude magnetic equator crossings yields RMS residuals up to 68 nT. Attributing the residuals from the offset-dipole field to axial degree 3 and 4 contributions we estimate that the Gauss coefficient magnitudes for the additional terms are less than 4% and 7%, respectively, relative to the dipole. The axial alignment and prominent quadrupole are consistent with a non-convecting layer above a deep dynamo in Mercury's fluid outer core.

magnetometer↗
NASA NTRS1977

Analysis of the passive stabilization of the long duration exposure facility

The nominal Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) configurations and the anticipated orbit parameters are presented. A linear steady state analysis was performed using these parameters. The effects of orbit eccentricity, solar pressure, aerodynamic pressure, magnetic dipole, and the magnetically anchored rate damper were evaluated to determine the configuration sensitivity to variations in these parameters. The worst case conditions for steady state errors were identified, and the performance capability calculated. Garber instability bounds were evaluated for the range of configuration and damping coefficients under consideration. The transient damping capabilities of the damper were examined, and the time constant as a function of damping coefficient and spacecraft moment of inertia determined. The capture capabilities of the damper were calculated, and the results combined with steady state, transient, and Garber instability analyses to select damper design parameters.

Siegel, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Testing general relativity in space-borne and astronomical laboratories

The current status of space-based experiments and astronomical observations designed to test the theory of general relativity is surveyed. Consideration is given to tests of post-Newtonian gravity, searches for feeble short-range forces and gravitomagnetism, improved measurements of parameterized post-Newtonian parameter values, explorations of post-Newtonian physics, tests of the Einstein equivalence principle, observational tests of post-Newtonian orbital effects, and efforts to detect quadrupole and dipole radiation damping. Recent numerical results are presented in tables.

Will, Clifford M.↗
NASA NTRS2024

The Plasma Proton Environment within Saturn’s F-G Ring Gap as Observed by the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer Ion Mass Spectrometer during Saturn Orbit Insertion

We report on the detection of protons and the potential detection of H 2 + between Saturn's F and G rings based on Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS) Ion Mass Spectrometer (IMS) time-of-flight (TOF) composition measurements acquired during Saturn Orbit Insertion (SOI) outbound pass. The range in dipole L shell is 2.3 < L < 2.8. Initial results based on TOF data were presented in E. C. Sittler et al., 2017. Here we present the latest results of our analysis. During the SOI outbound pass between the F and G rings the CAPS IMS was in a mode of reduced post-acceleration voltage at -6 kV instead of the usual -14.6 kV. This reduced voltage still allows the analysis of protons since 6 keV protons are minimally scattered by the instrument’s ultrathin carbon foils when compared to heavier ions O + and O 2 + , scattering. Background noise from penetrating radiation and ghost peaks produced by foil-scattered O + ions within the instrument were considered in our analysis. The analysis allowed determination of the proton density, temperature and flow velocity, accounting for spacecraft potential by assuming a convected Maxwellian for the proton velocity distribution function. We find average proton density n P = 3.2 ± 1.1 #/cm 3 , proton temperature T P = 1.74 ± 0.12 eV, proton rotational flow speed V P = 24 ± 1.5 km/s and spacecraft potential  SC = -0.8 ±1.5 V. These results are compared with previous theoretical estimates of H + and H 2 + ions within Saturn’s inner magnetosphere.

E C Sittler↗
NASA NTRS1984

Radiating dipole model of interference induced in spacecraft circuitry by surface discharges

Spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit can be charged electrically to high voltages by interaction with the space plasma. Differential charging of spacecraft surfaces leads to arc and blowoff discharging. The discharges are thought to upset interior, computer-level circuitry. In addition to capacitive or electrostatic effects, significant inductive and less significant radiative effects of these discharges exist and can be modeled in a dipole approximation. Flight measurements suggest source frequencies of 5 to 50 MHz. Laboratory tests indicate source current strengths of several amperes. Electrical and magnetic fields at distances of many centimeters from such sources can be as large as tens of volts per meter and meter squared, respectively. Estimates of field attenuation by spacecraft walls and structures suggest that interior fields may be appreciable if electromagnetic shielding is much thinner than about 0.025 mm (1 mil). Pickup of such fields by wires and cables interconnecting circuit components could be a source of interference signals of several volts amplitude.

Metz, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The Pioneer Venus Orbiter plasma wave investigation

The Pioneer Venus plasma wave instrument has a self-contained balanced electric dipole (effective length = 0.75 m) and a 4-channel spectrum analyzer (30% bandwidth filters with center frequencies at 100 Hz, 730 Hz, and 30 kHz). The channels are continuously active and the highest Orbiter telemetry rate (2048 bits/sec) yields 4 spectral scans/sec. The total mass of 0.55 kg includes the electronics, the antenna, and the antenna deployment mechanism. This report contains a brief description of the instrument design and a discussion of the in-flight performance.

Scarf, F. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Structure and evolutionary history of the solar system. III.

Analysis of the plasma processes and the hydromagnetic aspects involved in the evolution of the solar system. In order to reduce the speculative element as far as possible, the present analysis tries to connect the cosmogonic processes as directly as possible to laboratory plasma physics and to space phenomena actually observed today. Models of the Laplacian type have been made obsolete by magnetohydrodynamics. Furthermore they are in conflict with observations. A new model is suggested. A plasma surrounding a rotating central body may attain a state of partial corotation which is determined by the balance between gravitation and the centrifugal force acting on a plasma in a dipole field. Condensation from a partially corotating plasma results in grains orbiting in ellipses with e = 1/3 and finally accreting to bodies at 2/3 of the central distance of the point of condensation. An application of the theory of the Saturnian rings and to the asteroidal belt shows that the fall-down ratio 2/3 (derived from the geometry of a dipole field) is essential for the understanding of their structure. The structure of the groups of planets and satellites is also discussed, but only in a preliminary way.

Alfven, H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Magnetospheric magnetic field of Mercury

This paper presents a model for the magnetospheric magnetic field of Mercury in which the external field is represented by an image dipole and a tail field and the internal field includes a dipole, a quadrupole, and an octupole. The dipole moment estimated by this model is approximately 2.4 x 10 to the 22nd G cu cm, tilted 2.3 degrees from the normal to the planetary orbital plane and having the same directional sense as that of the earth. The dipole, quadrupole, and octupole moment intensities are in the approximate ratios 1:0.4:0.3, respectively. All planetary field lines of the model magnetosphere are confined to a magnetospherelike region. Results are obtained which show the geometry, field line configuration, and field isointensity contours inside the magnetosphere of Mercury.

Whang, Y. C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Warm core ring dynamics derived from satellite imagery

A reinterpretation of the life history of warm core ring 82-b is constructed from drifter trajectories, hydrographic profiles, and satellite-derived sea surface temperature fields. An analysis of the observations strongly suggests this ring is fundamentally a dipole structure for much of its existence. The dipole has unequal strength vortices, with the cyclone being the weaker component. Quantification of the dipole indicates the anticyclonic is oval shaped and rotates at approximately 7.7 deg per day, while the cyclone revolves around the anticyclone at about 14.5 deg per day, yielding an orbit period of approximately 25 days for the cyclone. The elusive part of the dipole explanation is in interpreting its surface signature as a function of time, as the cyclone appears to disappear when in proximity to the steep continental slope. Vortex modeling suggests that when the weaker cyclonic eddy is placed close to a boundary, the cyclone is drawn into a filament as it is advected through the gap between the anticyclone and the boundary. This means the cyclone is either in a filamentation state or undergoing the straining associated with filamentation approximately three fourths of this time, which is in complete agreement with the satellite imagery. In addition, the 82-B dipole configuration is sufficiently robust to survive continuous interaction with the continental slope and the onset of a Gulf Stream interaction. Although only warm core ring 82-B is analyzed in detail (and found to be a vortex pair), dipole configurations are found in the warm core ring 81-F time series as well.

Hooker, Stanford B.↗