5:36 PM - 5:39 PM
[PEM28-P06] CubeSat Project for the observation of Sq current at extreme low altitude
3-min talk in an oral session
Keywords:Sq current, Inter-hemispheric FAC, CubeSat
We think that the in-situ satellite observation in the lower altitude and the smaller inclination compared to the ársted (Altitude=760km, Inc.=97deg.) and the CHAMP (Altitude=454km, Inc.=87deg.) can be an efficient approach to reveal the morphology of the Sq current. In order to investigate the electromagnetic M-I-M coupling of the Sq current system including the IHFAC, the in-situ observation by a CubeSat (2U or 3U size satellite emitted from ISS) just above the coupling region closed to the foot print of IHFAC with the altitude of less than 400km (F region in the ionosphere) is planned in collaboration with 8 national colleges which belong to National Institute of Technology (KOSEN). The fluxgate magnetometer and the impedance probe are considered to be installed in the satellite to observe the small perturbation of the magnetic field and the electron density.After the ejection from the ISS, the CubeSat will gradually glide down to the upper atmosphere due to the strong atmospheric drag and finally burn up in it. The duration of the possible observation is estimated for more than 50 days. Such an extremely low cost satellite enables to conduct the observation in the lowest altitude where the conventional satellite cannot be operated because of a low cost-effectiveness.