Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites explained

Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites
Names List:TRACERS
Mission Type:Heliophysics
Operator:NASA
Spacecraft:TRACERS
Spacecraft Type:Orbiters (2)
Manufacturer:Millennium Space Systems
Launch Date:April 2025 (planned)[1]
Launch Rocket:Falcon 9 Block 5
Launch Contractor:SpaceX
Orbit Reference:Geocentric orbit
Orbit Regime:Low Earth orbit
Polar [2]
Orbit Altitude:600 km
Apsis:gee
Insignia:TRACERS Logo.svg
Insignia Caption:TRACERS logo
Insignia Size:200px
Programme:Small Explorer program (SMEX)
Previous Mission:SMEX 16
Next Mission:SMEX 17

Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) is a planned orbiter mission tasked to study the origins of the solar wind and how it affects Earth. TRACERS was proposed by Craig A. Kletzing at the University of Iowa who served as Principal Investigator until his death in 2023.[3] David M. Miles at the University of Iowa was named as Principal Investigator in his stead.[4] The TRACERS mission received US$115 million in funding from NASA.

Overview

TRACERS is a future mission by NASA that aims to answer long-standing questions critical to understanding the Sun-Earth System. TRACERS is a pair of identically instrumented spinning spacecraft that will study how the Sun's solar wind interacts with the Earth's magnetosphere. TRACERS was initially planned to be launched as a secondary mission to another orbiter named Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH). PUNCH will study the solar wind, a stream of charged particles emanating from the Sun, while TRACERS will study Earth's response.[5]

TRACERS will observe solar particles interacting with Earth's magnetic field at the northern magnetic cusp region. Here, the field lines guide particles from the boundary between Earth's magnetic field down into the atmosphere. In a process known as magnetic reconnection, the field lines violently reconfigure, sending particles out at speeds that can approach the speed of light. Some of these particles will be guided by the Earth's field into the region where TRACERS can observe them.[5] [6] TRACERS will study a longstanding question about where reconnection happens at the magnetopause and how the solar wind affects the place and timing, helping NASA better forecast the influx of energetic particles into Earth's magnetic field that has the potential to disrupt the power grid and satellite communications.[5] TRACERS and PUNCH will work well together with the other existing heliophysics spacecraft.[6]

On 20 June 2019, NASA announced that PUNCH and TRACERS were the winning candidates to become the next missions in the agency's Small Explorer program.[7] On 29 September 2023 NASA Launch Services Program selected SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket to provide the launch service for TRACERS launch through the Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) program.[8]

As of October 2023, TRACERS has a target launch readiness date of 13 April 2025.[9]

Instruments

A technology demonstration, Magnetometers for Innovation and Capability (MAGIC), was added in 2020 with the goal to test prototype magnetic-field instruments.[10]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Foust . Jeff . NASA selects SpaceX for rideshare launch of smallsat mission . . 30 September 2023 . 1 October 2023.
  2. https://news.berkeley.edu/2019/07/09/four-berkeley-satellites-could-be-exploring-mars-and-earth-by-2022/ Four Berkeley satellites could be exploring Mars and Earth by 2022.
  3. Web site: Renowned Iowa physics professor, researcher Craig Kletzing dies Physics and Astronomy - The University of Iowa . 2023-10-02 . physics.uiowa.edu . en.
  4. Web site: Miles Named PI of TRACERS Mission Physics and Astronomy - The University of Iowa . 2023-10-02 . physics.uiowa.edu . en.
  5. https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-missions-to-study-our-sun-its-effects-on-space-weather NASA Selects Missions to Study Our Sun, Its Effects on Space Weather
  6. https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/06/26/nasa-selects-missions-to-observe-the-sun-and-its-impact-on-earth/NASA NASA selects missions to observe the sun and its impact on Earth
  7. Web site: Frazier . Sarah . NASA's PUNCH Mission to Study the Sun's Environment Moves Toward Launch . . 27 July 2021 . 28 July 2021.
  8. Web site: NASA Announces Launch Services for Pair of Space Weather Satellites. September 29, 2023. October 5, 2023. Jennifer M.. Dooren. NASA.
  9. Web site: TRACERS . . 1 October 2023.
  10. Web site: Allen . Molly . UI-led space mission funded by $115 million grant from NASA takes next step . . 24 June 2020 . 3 May 2021.