Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency JAXA Sitemap

TOP > Topics > 2001 > SS-520-2 Observation Results Report

Topics

SS-520-2 Observation Results Report

On December 4, 2000, on the 10th day after entering the awaited attidude, the solar wind conditions were the best so far. The news came in from (STE Professor) Fujii conducting radar observations at Longyearbin that the ionic flow was active. However, it was snowing at both Longyearbin and Ny Olsen. Although optical observation is impossible from the ground, according to the POLAR satellite's photographs of the Aurora (which can be viewed on the webpage with a 30-minute timelag), the cusp has come to a suitable position. Professor Moen of Oslo University, who had rushed to the actual site for the rocket experiment, and Prof. Fujii finally came to a decision.

The rocket was launched at an angle of elevation of 86°, as seen from the telemeter and QL data monitoring room. The flight was normal, and the telemetry reception conditions were good. The observation-sensor spread, antenna, high-voltage power, etc., were all normal. However, the entrance of cusp-specific ions is delicate. Post-launch analysis revealed that the rocket seemed to stray slightly west and graze the cusp. On the other hand, descent-grain and plasma-surge data showed unexpected results, and these are being analyzed at present. For this rocket experiment, the world's latest observation technology has been developed, such as long-term resolution grain observation, digital-type plasma surge reception, extreme ultraviolet optical observation of oxygen ions, etc.

Since the AKEBONO satellite passed through the south side at the same time, simultaneous observation of both the rocket and the satellite was performed, bringing the experiment to a successful completion.

March 30, 2001