The heliophysics mission will investigate solar radio bursts and map the Sun's magnetic field, tracing its influence from the outer corona into interplanetary space. Solar radio bursts occur when magnetic energy accelerates particles to high speeds, sometimes sending them streaming toward Earth and beyond. These events can endanger spacecraft and astronauts outside the planet's magnetic shield.
SunRISE will provide forecasters with unique imaging of where these bursts originate and the direction in which the particles are traveling. Such information could allow earlier warnings of radiation storms and help mitigate risks to satellites and human explorers.
The mission consists of six toaster-sized small satellites working together as a single radio telescope about 6 miles (10 kilometers) across. By relaying their signals through NASA's Deep Space Network, the spacecraft will apply interferometry techniques to combine their measurements, producing detailed radio images of solar activity. Because the Earth's ionosphere blocks these wavelengths, such observations can only be performed from space.
SunRISE will complement NASA's other heliophysics assets, including the Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory, Parker Solar Probe, and Solar Orbiter, the latter an ESA-NASA collaboration.
The project is a Mission of Opportunity under NASA's Heliophysics Division within the Science Mission Directorate. The University of Michigan leads the science investigation and operates the science center. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the mission and oversees operations, while Utah State University's Space Dynamics Laboratory built the spacecraft.
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