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TOP > Topics > 2004 > ISAS plans observations of the dynamics and energetics in the high-latitude lower thermosphere associated with the auroral activity at Andøya Rocket Range (Norway).

Topics

ISAS plans observations of the dynamics and energetics in the high-latitude lower thermosphere associated with the auroral activity at Andøya Rocket Range (Norway).

1. General Information

  1. Rocket type & name : S-310-35
  2. Length : 7.4 m
  3. Weight : 0.7 ton
  4. Apoapsis height : 150 km
  5. Place of launch : Andøya Rocket Range (Norway)
  6. Scheduled launch date : 17:00 LT on Dec. 5, 2004 (launch window 17:00-06:00 LT)
      (If the launch condition is not satisfied, the launch may be delayed until Dec. 20.)
  7. Responsible person : Koichiro Tsuruda (Executive Director of ISAS/JAXA)
  8. General chief of experiment : Hajime Hayakawa (ISAS/JAXA)

2. Objective and Observation Summary

Main objective of this rocket campaign is to study the upper atmospheric dynamics and energetics in the lower thermosphere associated with the auroral activity. The sounding rocket “S-310-35” will make in-situ measurements of neutral temperature and density as well as auroral emission rate, electron density and temperature. Simultaneous measurements of neutral wind and temperature by ground-based Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FPI) and ion drift, plasma density and temperature by European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) radar will be conducted. Other ground-based instruments to observe the atmospheric density and wind, auroral emission rate in different wavelength, auroral distribution and ionospheric density profile will also be operated during this campaign.

3. Instrumentation (Rocket and ground-based)

Instruments onboard the rocket

N2 Temperature and Vibration, Fixed biased probe, Auroral particle detector, Horizon sensor, Airglow photometer, Probe for Electron density, Langmuir probe, Magnetometer

Ground-based instruments

Tromsø: EISCAT radar, Multi-wavelength photometer, All-sky imager
Skibotn: Fabry-Perot Interferometer, All-sky imager
Kiruna: Fabry-Perot Interferometer
Andøya: All-sky imager, Sodium Lidar, MF radar, Ionosonde.

Location of the rocket range and ground-based observation site.

November 24, 2004