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| Titel |
The Scintillation Prediction Observations Research Task (SPORT) Mission |
| VerfasserIn |
James Spann, Charles Swenson, Otavio Durão, Luis Loures, Rod Heelis, Rebecca Bishop, Guan Le, Mangalathayil Abdu, Linda Krause, Clezio Nardin, Eloi Fonseca |
| Konferenz |
EGU General Assembly 2016
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| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
en
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| Digitales Dokument |
PDF |
| Erschienen |
In: GRA - Volume 18 (2016) |
| Datensatznummer |
250136735
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 EGU/EGU2016-17841.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
| Abstract: Structure in the charged particle number density in the equatorial ionosphere can
have a profound impact on the fidelity of HF, VHF and UHF radio signals that are used for
ground-to-ground and space-to-ground communication and navigation. The degree to which
such systems can be compromised depends in large part on the spatial distribution of the
structured regions in the ionosphere and the background plasma density in which they are
embedded.
In order to address these challenges it is necessary to accurately distinguish the
background ionospheric conditions that favor the generation of irregularities from those that
do not. Additionally we must relate the evolution of those conditions to the subsequent
evolution of the irregular plasma regions themselves. The background ionospheric conditions
are conveniently described by latitudinal profiles of the plasma density at nearly constant
altitude, which describe the effects of ExB drifts and neutral winds, while the appearance and
growth of plasma structure requires committed observations from the ground from at least
one fixed longitude.
This talk will present an international collaborative CubeSat mission called SPORT that
stands for the Scintillation Prediction Observations Research Task. This mission will advance
our understanding of the nature and evolution of ionospheric structures around
sunset to improve predictions of disturbances that affect radio propagation and
telecommunication signals. The science goals will be accomplished by a unique combination
of satellite observations from a nearly circular middle inclination orbit and the
extensive operation of ground based observations from South America near the
magnetic equator. This approach promises Explorer class science at a CubeSat price. |
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