Plasma Enhancements in The Ionosphere-Thermosphere Satellite (petit Sat)

The mid- and low-latitude ionosphere is home to a variety of plasma density irregularities, including depletions (bubbles), enhancements (blobs), and small-scale scintillation, which result in the distortion of radio wave propagation. Previous studies of plasma density enhancements observed using ROCSAT data have posited that these structures form as the direct result of the formation of bubbles near the geomagnetic equator. However, recent observations from the C/NOFS satellite suggest that multiple mechanisms are responsible for forming plasma enhancements, with wave action in the thermosphere as a significant driver of the enhanced densities. Indeed, statistical analysis of enhancements observed from satellites resembles the statistics of Medium-Scale Traveling Ionosphere Disturbances (MSTIDs) with respect to seasonal variability and solar activity. This study will investigate the link between these two phenomena. In order to investigate the link between these two phenomena, both in situ data of the plasma enhancement and remote data of the MSTID at the magnetic footpoint are required. petitSat is a CubeSat mission designed to provide in situ measurements of the plasma density, 3D ion drift, as well as ion and neutral composition. The instrument suite includes a combined retarding potential analyzer and cross-track drift meter and a neutral mass spectrometer. This instrument suite will provide comprehensive information about the fluctuations in plasma, as well as changes in the neutral profile. petitSat will launch into a 51 deg inclination orbit at 400 km (consistent with an International Space Station deployment), allowing for numerous conjunctions with the Boston University All-Sky Imager network and GPS receivers from the International Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Service (IGS) network over the mission lifetime. Through comparative analysis, we will bring closure to our key science question: What is the link between Plasma Enhancements and MSTIDs?

Support NASA's strategic objectives to understand the Sun and its interactions with Earth and the solar system, including space weather. This will be achieved by developing/demonstrating instrumentation technology necessary to address the following science goals: Explore the physical processes in the space environment from the Sun to the Earth and throughout the solar system; Advance our understanding of the connections that link the Sun, the Earth, planetary space environments, and the outer reaches of our solar system; Develop the knowledge and capability to detect and predict extreme conditions in space to protect life and society and to safeguard human and robotic explorers beyond Earth.

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