| NSF Org: |
AGS Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | September 28, 2011 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | August 19, 2014 |
| Award Number: | 1042837 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
John Meriwether
AGS Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences GEO Directorate for Geosciences |
| Start Date: | October 1, 2011 |
| End Date: | September 30, 2016 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $348,861.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $408,826.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2014 = $59,965.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
55 MIDDLESEX ST UNIT 210 NORTH CHELMSFORD MA US 01863-1561 (978)251-4554 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
55 MIDDLESEX ST UNIT 210 NORTH CHELMSFORD MA US 01863-1561 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): |
Upper Atmospheric Facilities, AGS-ATM & Geospace Sciences, Geospace Sci Cluster Prgrm, Space Weather Research |
| Primary Program Source: |
01001415DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.050 |
ABSTRACT
This project is for a 3U CubeSat mission named EXOCUBE to measure the densities of all significant neutral and ionized species in the upper atmosphere on a global scale. The project will provide the first in-situ global neutral density data in more than 25 years, including the first direct measurements of Hydrogen densities using the mass spectrometer technique. An important science objective for EXOCUBE is to provide observational constraints for physical models of the upper atmosphere. Additionally, the measurements will be used to test and validate newly developed experimental techniques to obtain neutral and ionized composition and densities from radar and optical observations. The EXOCUBE measurements will also be used for several immediate science investigations. Specific science questions to be addressed include: 1) the inter-hemispheric transport of Hydrogen and protons in the quiescent and storm-time exosphere, and 2) characterization of neutral atmospheric drivers in response to magnetic storms. Data for each of four neutral and ion species (O, He, H, N2, O+, He+, H+, and NO+) are gathered by a set of two Static Energy Angle Analyzers, one for Neutrals (NSEAA) and one for Ions (ISEAA), respectively. The instrument is a new design that has been developed recently through a collaboration between NASA and the Naval Research Laboratory. A third instrument, a Faraday cup, is included for calibration, reducing ion density uncertainties to approximately plus or minus 3%. The satellite will collect data in two modes. In 'patrol mode' the measurements will be made approximately every degree of longitude and in 'coordinated experimental mode' the measurements will be made every tenth of a longitude degree in conjunction with ground based radar and optical measurements. The satellite is to be launched into low Earth orbit with an inclination of greater than or equal to 45 degrees, passing over three current radar sites, and at least six optical Aeronomy sites.
The EXOCUBE project is a collaboration between Scientific Solutions Inc. (SSI), California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), and The University of Wisconsin (UW). Also partnering in the effort are NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and SRI International. In addition, the project coordinates with existing NSF radar facilities and optical sites for targeted experiments during the satellite lifetime. The EXOCUBE dataset has broad utility, leading to long-awaited improvements in a wide range of physical and semi-empirical composition models for the upper atmosphere and to verification of radar and optical measurement techniques providing composition data. As such, the project will provide the foundation for a very large and diverse set of further aeronomy and space weather science investigations. Particularly, reliable knowledge of exospheric Hydrogen distribution is a crucial requirement for realistically modeling Total Electron Content, which is currently a very high priority space weather objective. Educational impacts of the project are extraordinary. The satellite bus and operating systems are designed and built by 20-40 students in the laboratories at Cal Poly, and payload integration is also performed by students at Cal Poly. Students at the University of Wisconsin are involved with instrument calibration and testing and with initial assessment of data integrity. Data formatting and archiving are also student led.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
ExoCube is a small satellite mission that combines a CubeSat, a satellite about the size of a shoebox with a very sensitive mass spectrometer provided by NASA. The mass spectrometer (like an artificial nose) is capable of measuring small quantities of hydrogen, helium and oxygen around the spacecraft. The concept is to fly this small spacecraft/spectrometer combination and measure the amount of hydrogen, helium and oxygen at the top of the atmosphere.
These measurements will help us understand the interaction between the sun and the earth. How the Earths’ atmospheres interacts with our magnetosphere and improve our understanding of how a planets atmosphere evolves over time. This mission also has very practical applications. Knowledge of the density of hydrogen, helium and oxygen in low earth orbit is important in the calculation and prediction of satellite orbits and satellite lifetimes. These densities can also help us predict the effect of “space weather” on our satellites. While enough data was collected to demostrate the capabilities of the sensor the communication system failed preventing the completion of the mission. A failure analysis study was conducted by CalPoly and the Aerospace corporation, resulting in an understanding of why the satellite failed and how to prevent such failures in the future.
Last Modified: 11/30/2016
Modified by: John Noto
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