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Geospace Physics
Branch, Code 612.3
Specializing
in Mesospheric, Thermospheric, Ionospheric, and
Magnetospheric Research
Mission Statement:
The Geospace Physics Branch's mission is to advance knowledge of the
coupled solar wind - magnetosphere - ionosphere system by means of
experimental and theoretical investigations and to provide leadership
to NASA's Space Science Enterprise by serving as Project Scientists for
Sun-Earth Connection Theme space flight programs.
May 28, 2004 - Implementation of Swarm Approved:
The Earth Observation Program Board of ESA has
approved the Swarm - Earth's Magnetic Field and Environment Explorers
for implementation with a launch in 2009. Swarm consists of a
constellation of three satellites that will make the most accurate and
comprehensive mapping of the Earth's magnetic and ionospheric electric
fields ever conducted. J.A. Slavin (612.3) is a Swarm
Co-Investigator. The Swarm Lead Investigator is Dr. Eigil
Friis-Christensen of the Danish Space Research Institute.
May 27, 2004 - Proposal Selected for Funding:
Tom Narock's proposal "Extending the LWS Data
Environment: Distributed Data Processing and Analysis" has been
selected for funding by the LWS/TR&T Program. The work is for
one year and Dr. Adam Szabo will serve as a collaborator. It aims
to develop a prototype, distributed, peer-to-peer, data processing
system. The system will operate as a series of distributed peers
operating in conjunction with one another to provide data analysis
services to the community and will serve as a testbed for future
Virtual Observatories.
May 25, 2004 - Two Proposals Won by Scientists:
Dr. Jan Merka and Dr. Adam Szabo have had 2
proposals accepted. The first entitled "Solar Wind Input into the
Magnetosphere: Assimilation of Multi-Spacecraft Data" will be funded by
the NASA LWS/TR&T Program. The other, "Reconstruction of the
Transverse Solar Wind Profile at 1 AU Using Basic Data Assimilation
Techniques", will be supported by the NSF Space Weather Program.
Both proposals will run for three years. The proposed work will
reconstruct the solar wind and IMF profile transverse to the Sun-Earth
line by assimilating data from up to 5 solar monitors using a
statistical interpolation technique to enable understanding of the
asymmetrical or non-uniform input into the magnetosphere.
March 24, 2004 - Tentative Date Set for Launch of
ST-5:
A tentative date of February 15, 2006 has been set for
the launch of ST-5 on a Pegasus launch vehicle out of the Western Test
Range/VAFB. The ST-5 orbit and mission plan is still being
refined, but a ~ 300 x 3,000 km, dawn-dusk, sun-synchronous orbit is
planned. Jim Slavin (696) is the ST-5 Project Scientist and Guan
Le (612.3) is the lead scientist for the constellation validation
activities.
March 23, 2004 - MESSENGER Launch Delayed:
The MESSENGER launch, originally scheduled for May 11,
2004 is being delayed until at least July 30th. The new mission
plan includes 3 Mercury fly-bys on Jan. 14, 2008, Oct. 6, 2008, and
Sept. 29, 2009 with orbit insertion on March 18, 2011. Jim Slavin
(612.3) is the Lead Co-I for magnetospheric magnetic fields
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