24/7 Space News
TECH SPACE
Radiation belt exploration boosted by smallsat constellation mission CORBES
illustration only
Radiation belt exploration boosted by smallsat constellation mission CORBES
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Oct 27, 2024

In line with the COSPAR Scientific Roadmap on Small Satellites for Space Science, the CORBES mission, proposed by the Small Geostationary Radiation Belt (SGRB) division of TGCSS, is advancing Earth's radiation belt research through a constellation of multi-CubeSats. This constellation has been under development for two years and aims to conduct a fast-paced survey of Earth's radiation belts.

The CORBES mission is designed to use a multi-satellite configuration to explore variations in the radiation belts by maintaining a near-equatorial orbit, with an apogee at approximately seven Earth radii, akin to Geostationary Transfer Orbits (GTO). By placing multiple satellites in this orbit, CORBES will discern spatial from temporal radiation belt changes, significantly enhancing our understanding of these dynamic regions. Each satellite is expected to operate for a minimum of one year, ensuring cost-effectiveness and mission continuity.

Aiming to deepen our grasp of outer radiation belt dynamics, the mission will leverage its CubeSat constellation to gather highly detailed measurements of energetic electron flux, geomagnetic field shifts, and plasma waves. This data will provide insights into physical processes that impact the radiation belt, including:

- Energy diffusion: Triggered by local resonant electron interactions with Very Low Frequency (VLF) waves like whistler-mode waves, especially during geomagnetic storms.

- Pitch angle scattering: Resulting from interactions between electrons and magnetospheric plasma waves, including whistler hiss and electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves.

- Radial transport: Caused by drift resonance between electrons and Ultra-Low-Frequency (ULF) waves, as well as sudden electric field changes from large-scale magnetic field alterations such as shock-induced injection and storm convection.

- Electron escape: Occurs as electrons exit the magnetosphere into the solar wind via magnetopause shadowing and other outward radial transport mechanisms.

This in-depth analysis will allow CORBES to build a more complete understanding of electron transport, acceleration, and loss mechanisms, refining both scientific models and predictive tools for the radiation belt environment.

Each CORBES satellite will carry a suite of three primary instruments: the Magnetometer (MAG), Search Coil Wave Detector (SCWD), and High Energy Electron Detector (HEED). These instruments are intended to operate in highly inclined, elliptical orbits reaching perigee at 280 km and apogee at 7 Earth radii, with an orbit period of about 13.5 hours. During each 10.5-hour pass through the outer radiation belt, these CubeSats will gather precise data on magnetic fields and electron populations. Spin-stabilized at approximately eight rotations per minute, each satellite's sun-facing axis provides orientation consistency. With a mass limit of 30 kg per satellite, the mission is designed for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Communication and data transmission will utilize S-band for command functions and X-band for downlink, with the satellites planned for deployment via one or two rockets. This coordinated deployment allows individual releases for each satellite, ensuring their placement within the intended orbit.

The mission's Assembly Integration and Testing (AIT), radiation shielding, and cross-calibration are essential. In particular, in-orbit cross-calibration ensures data consistency, using observations from specific conditions to align readings across multiple instruments. HEED's cross-calibration, for example, compares electron selection data during quiet magnetospheric phases, while MAG and SCWD use calm period data to verify their measurements.

The CORBES mission involves contributions from multiple international partners. Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Innovation Academy of Microsatellites (IMAC), and Finland's Foresail program have each contributed satellite technology, with IMAC contributing two satellites. Instrumentation is shared among institutions including the National Space Science Center (NSSC), Beihang University, and the University of Turku, ensuring a robust equipment lineup that supports the mission's goals.

CORBES operates under a data-sharing policy that will grant open access to its collected data, thereby aiding contributors and the global research community in understanding magnetospheric dynamics. COSPAR has supported mission organization, coordination, and partnerships with academic and government institutions.

The mission has already held over forty collaborative meetings, gathering input from scientists worldwide to define CORBES's objectives and payload requirements. With COSPAR's support, CORBES aims to answer critical questions about wave-particle interactions and radial transport within Earth's radiation belts, marking a significant advance in space science. Two scientific papers on CORBES's technical design and goals have been submitted to *Advances in Space Research*.

The comprehensive data from CORBES is expected to aid in the development of predictive models and improve our understanding of space weather influences on the radiation belt, reinforcing its role as a major tool in Earth's space environment monitoring.

Research Report:Progress of Radiation Belt Exploration by a Constellation of Small Satellites TGCSS/SGRB, COSPAR

Related Links
National Space Science Center
Space Technology News - Applications and Research

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TECH SPACE
Launch successful Potsdam physicists deploy first perovskite tandems in orbit
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Oct 16, 2024
July 9, 2024, marked a significant milestone for Felix Lang and his research team at the University of Potsdam with the maiden flight of the new Ariane 6 rocket, launched from the Guiana Space Centre by the European Space Agency (ESA). Among the payloads was a satellite carrying an experiment featuring Lang's solar cell technology, which successfully deployed one hour and six minutes post-launch. "The solar cells have survived launch and started to produce energy, even without perfect alignment to the s ... read more

TECH SPACE
NASA to restart Mentor-Protege program to help improve contractor diversity

Samsonite's Proxis Suitcase reaches new heights with space launch

Astronauts return to Earth after seven months of research on ISS

NASA astronaut released from hospital after return from ISS

TECH SPACE
SpaceX pushes back launch of 20 Starlink satellites in late scrub

Kremlin denies report of Musk-Putin secret talks

SpaceX sends 22 Starlink satellites into orbit in record-setting launch

NASA Administrator says Musk, Putin contacts 'concerning' as Kremlin denies WSJ report

TECH SPACE
Perseverance surveys its path as it ascends Jezero Crater

Red Rocks with Green Spots at 'Serpentine Rapids'

NASA selects crew for 45-day simulated Mars mission in Houston

Potential microbial habitats in Martian ice

TECH SPACE
Chinese space station crew returns after six months in orbit

China's only woman spaceflight engineer in crew for 'dream' mission

China delivers scientific payloads from reusable satellite Shijian-19 to users

China to launch 14th manned mission to Tiangong Space Station

TECH SPACE
Hawkeye 360 enhances global monitoring with Clusters 9 and 10 now in opeation

Boeing exploring sale of space business: report

Space industry growth and Japan's role in satellite development

Eutelsat America and OneWeb to provide Enhanced Satellite Services for US Govt

TECH SPACE
New laser technology speeds up landmine detection process

SwRI unveils new facility for advanced EMC EMI testing for spacecraft

Radiation belt exploration boosted by smallsat constellation mission CORBES

Laser measurements aid in tracking space debris and mapping Earth's water resources

TECH SPACE
Optimal Learning Rates Revealed in New Study on Adaptation

Microbes thrive on iron in oxygen-free environments

SwRI and JPL study reveals liquid brine flows on airless worlds

It's twins mystery of famed brown dwarf solved

TECH SPACE
NASA and SpaceX Set for Europa Clipper Launch on October 14

NASA probe Europa Clipper lifts off for Jupiter's icy moon

Is life possible on a Jupiter moon? NASA goes to investigate

NASA launches probe to study if life possible on icy Jupiter moon

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.