NittanySat - A student satellite mission for D-region study and calibration of riometers

Sven G. Bilén, C. Russell Philbrick, Adam C. Escobar, Brian C. Schratz, Eivind V. Thrane, Michael Gausa, Kolbjørn Dahle, Farideh Honary, Steven Marple, Roger Smith, Martin Friedrich, Thomas Zilaji

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

NittanySat is a nanosatellite currently under development that will be used to study variations in the D-region ionosphere and to provide calibration for ground-based riometers. The D-region will be investigated using measurements of the total ionospheric absorption of HF signals at four frequencies transmitted from the ground to this small polar-orbiting satellite. The larger signal loss observed at the lower frequencies is due to ionospheric absorption and, thus, is comparable to what a riometer measures. The possibility for measuring at high latitude stations in Norway and Alaska will provide opportunities to study the D-region variations during geophysically active periods. Design considerations and initial simulations are presented. NittanySat is a participant in the 5 th University Nanosatellite Program, which was established to train students in satellite systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)407-412
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA SP
Issue number647 SP
StatePublished - Jun 2007
Event18th ESA Symposium on European Rocket and Balloon Programmes and Related Research - Visby, Sweden
Duration: Jun 3 2007Jun 7 2007

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Space and Planetary Science

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