First results from CSSWE CubeSat: Characteristics of relativistic electrons in the near‐Earth environment during the October 2012 magnetic storms

Li, X.; Schiller, Q.; Blum, L. W.; Califf, S.; Zhao, Hong; Tu, Weichao; Turner, D. L.; Gerhardt, David; Palo, S. E.; Kanekal, S.; Baker, D. N.; Fennell, J. F.; Blake, J. B.; Looper, M. D.; Reeves, G. D.; Spence, Harlan E.

doi:10.1002/2013ja019342

Cited by 75 publications

(80 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…In this case, the lifetime computed is simply an upper limit on the true lifetime. Even more detail on the drift‐diffusion model itself can be examined in Selesnick [] and a previous application of the Loss Index Method is contained in Li et al [].…”

Section: Slow Decay and Loss Quantificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of relativistic outer belt electrons during an extended quiescent period

Jaynes

Schiller

et al. 2014

JGR Space Physics

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To effectively study loss due to hiss‐driven precipitation of relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt, it is useful to isolate this loss by studying a time of relatively quiet geomagnetic activity. We present a case of initial enhancement and slow, steady decay of 700 keV–2 MeV electron populations in the outer radiation belt during an extended quiescent period from ∼15 December 2012 to 13 January 2013. We incorporate particle measurements from a constellation of satellites, including the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment (CSSWE) CubeSat, the Van Allen Probes twin spacecraft, and Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS), to understand the evolution of the electron populations across pitch angle and energy. Additional data from calculated phase space density, as well as hiss and chorus wave data from Van Allen Probes, help complete the picture of the slow precipitation loss of relativistic electrons during a quiet time. Electron loss to the atmosphere during this event is quantified through use of the Loss Index Method, utilizing CSSWE measurements at low Earth orbit. By comparing these results against equatorial Van Allen Probes electron flux data, we conclude the net precipitation loss of the outer radiation belt content to be greater than 92%, suggesting no significant acceleration during this period, and resulting in faster electron loss rates than have previously been reported.

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Section: Slow Decay and Loss Quantificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of relativistic outer belt electrons during an extended quiescent period

Jaynes

Schiller

et al. 2014

JGR Space Physics

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“…for space weather monitoring purposes (cf. Li et al, 2013). The CubeSat specification, however, constrains both dimensions (a three-unit CubeSat is 10 cm × 10 cm × 30 cm with 48 31 * The attitude mode data used in this paper were taken from housekeeping data; hence, they have a lower time resolution than specified in Brown et al (2014). no protuberant parts at launch) and total mass ( 4 kg for 3U) (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The MAGIC of CINEMA: first in-flight science results from a miniaturised anisotropic magnetoresistive magnetometer

et al. 2015

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Abstract. We present the first in-flight results from a novel miniaturised anisotropic magnetoresistive space magnetometer, MAGIC (MAGnetometer from Imperial College), aboard the first CINEMA (CubeSat for Ions, Neutrals, Electrons and MAgnetic fields) spacecraft in low Earth orbit. An attitudeindependent calibration technique is detailed using the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF), which is temperature dependent in the case of the outboard sensor. We show that the sensors accurately measure the expected absolute field to within 2 % in attitude mode and 1 % in science mode. Using a simple method we are able to estimate the spacecraft's attitude using the magnetometer only, thus characterising CINEMA's spin, precession and nutation. Finally, we show that the outboard sensor is capable of detecting transient physical signals with amplitudes of ∼ 20-60 nT. These include field-aligned currents at the auroral oval, qualitatively similar to previous observations, which agree in location with measurements from the DMSP (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) and POES (Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites) spacecraft. Thus, we demonstrate and discuss the potential science capabilities of the MAGIC instrument onboard a CubeSat platform.

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“…Although a net intensification, REPTile measurements during this storm separate the contribution of loss mechanisms from the net acceleration that occurred, specifically by quantifying the relative contribution from precipitation loss. Results from CSSWE analysis for the storm and succeeding electron flux increase are published in Li et al [10]. The authors showed that, when including atmospheric precipitation, the enhancement was at least 12.7% and 14.6% stronger for 0.58 MeV and 1.63 MeV electrons, respectively.…”

Section: Electrons In the Radiation Belts -Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When requested, the raw counts are transmitted to the ground where they are processed into differential flux units. Details of this conversion are specified in Li et al [10]. …”

Section: Instrument Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and scientific return of a miniaturized particle telescope onboard the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment (CSSWE) CubeSat

Schiller

Gerhardt

Blum

et al. 2014

2014 IEEE Aerospace Conference

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The Relativistic Electron and Proton Telescope Integrated Little Experiment (REPTile) is a loaded-disc collimated solid-state particle telescope designed, built, tested, and operated by a team of students at the University of Colorado. It was launched onboard the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment (CSSWE), a 3U CubeSat, from Vandenberg Air Force Base on September 13th, 2012, as part of NASA's Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa) program.REPTile takes measurements of energetic particles in the near-Earth environment. These measurements, by themselves and in conjunction with larger missions, are critical to understand, model, and predict hazardous space weather effects. However, miniaturizing a power-and mass-hungry particle telescope to return clean measurements from a CubeSat platform is extremely challenging. To overcome these challenges, REPTile underwent a rigorous design and testing phase. This paper highlights some of the design and testing which validates the data as a valuable contribution to the study of space weather. CSSWE uses a keep-it-simple design approach to minimize risks associated with low budget and student built missions. A coherent testing plan confirmed that the spacecraft would remain healthy and take reliable measurements in orbit. This paper also highlights the system-level design and testing that verified spacecraft performance pre and post launch.Despite the risks inherent CubeSat missions, REPTile to date has returned over 300 days of valuable science data, more than tripling its nominal mission lifetime of 90 days. Initial in-flight instrument results are presented, including engineering hurdles encountered in receiving and processing the data. Also, the preliminary scientific contributions of the mission are covered in this paper to demonstrate the capabilities of a low-budget CubeSat mission. As an affordable, robust, and simple instrument and mission design, CSSWE demonstrates that small satellites are a reliable platform to deliver quality science.

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First results from CSSWE CubeSat: Characteristics of relativistic electrons in the near‐Earth environment during the October 2012 magnetic storms

Cited by 75 publications

References 59 publications

Evolution of relativistic outer belt electrons during an extended quiescent period

Evolution of relativistic outer belt electrons during an extended quiescent period

The MAGIC of CINEMA: first in-flight science results from a miniaturised anisotropic magnetoresistive magnetometer

Design and scientific return of a miniaturized particle telescope onboard the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment (CSSWE) CubeSat

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