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#280 by gongora on 06 Feb, 2024 18:56
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https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023GL107521Quote
First Results From REPTile-2 Measurements Onboard CIRBE
Abstract
CIRBE (Colorado Inner Radiation Belt Experiment), a 3U CubeSat, was launched on 15 April 2023 into a sun synchronous orbit (97.4° inclination and 509 km altitude). The sole science payload onboard is REPTile-2 (Relativistic Electron and Proton Telescope integrated little experiment—2), an advanced version of REPTile which operated in space between 2012 and 2014. REPTile-2 has 60 channels for electrons (0.25–6 MeV) and 60 channels for protons (6.5–100 MeV). It has been working well, capturing detailed dynamics of the radiation belt electrons, including several orders of magnitude enhancements of the outer belt electrons after an intense magnetic storm, multiple “wisps”- an electron precipitation phenomenon associated with human-made very low frequency (VLF) waves in the inner belt, and “drift echoes” of 0.25–1.4 MeV electrons across the entire inner belt and part of the outer belt. These new observations provide opportunities to test the understanding of the physical mechanisms responsible for these features.
Key Points
Detailed variations of relativistic electrons over a wide energy range, 0.25–6 MeV, in the Earth's magnetosphere were captured
Multiple “wisps,” an electron precipitation phenomenon associated with human-made VLF waves in the inner belt, were measured
“Drift echoes” or “zebra stripes” of 0.25–1.4 MeV electrons across the entire inner belt and part of the outer belt, have been observed -
#281 by StraumliBlight on 21 Jun, 2024 17:40
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Solar activity reduced Umbra-06's lifetime by 4 years.Quote
Satellite Umbra-06 has experienced an off-nominal condition and is in the process of natural orbital decay. As a result of this operational condition and significantly higher than anticipated atmospheric density due to a very strong solar cycle this system will pass below its currently approved minimum operational altitude of 487 km by July 2024 rather than in early 2028 as originally anticipated. Accordingly, Umbra requests authority for 60-days, pending approval of the modification application for regular authority, to operate this satellite at altitudes down to 325 km
A Satellite Drag Analysis During the May 2024 Geomagnetic Storm (June 12th) investigated the impacts on LEO satellite operations.