|
correct name/link
|
link: Solar Terrestrial Probes program
|
||
| Line 50: | Line 50: | ||
The IMAP spacecraft has a science payload of ten instruments and is a simple Sun-pointed spinner in orbit about the Sun-Earth L1 [[Lagrangian point]]. IMAP also continuously broadcasts real-time in-situ data that can be used for [[space weather]] prediction. |
The IMAP spacecraft has a science payload of ten instruments and is a simple Sun-pointed spinner in orbit about the Sun-Earth L1 [[Lagrangian point]]. IMAP also continuously broadcasts real-time in-situ data that can be used for [[space weather]] prediction. |
||
It is the fifth mission selected in the [[Solar Terrestrial Probes |
It is the fifth mission selected in the [[Solar Terrestrial Probes program]], after [[TIMED]], [[Hinode (satellite)|Hinode]], [[STEREO]] and [[Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission|MMS]].<ref name="NASA selection" /> |
||
==Science== |
==Science== |
||
| Line 68: | Line 68: | ||
==Mission management== |
==Mission management== |
||
This is the fifth mission in NASA's Solar Terrestrial Probes (STP) program.<ref>{{cite web |title=Solar Terrestrial Probes |url=https://science.nasa.gov/heliophysics/programs/solar-terrestrial-probes |website=NASA Science (beta) |publisher=NASA |accessdate=5 June 2018}}</ref> The Heliophysics Program Office at NASA's [[Goddard Space Flight Center]] in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the STP program for the agency's Heliophysics Division in Washington. |
This is the fifth mission in NASA's Solar Terrestrial Probes ([[Solar Terrestrial Probes program|STP]]) program.<ref>{{cite web |title=Solar Terrestrial Probes |url=https://science.nasa.gov/heliophysics/programs/solar-terrestrial-probes |website=NASA Science (beta) |publisher=NASA |accessdate=5 June 2018}}</ref> The Heliophysics Program Office at NASA's [[Goddard Space Flight Center]] in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the STP program for the agency's Heliophysics Division in Washington. |
||
The mission's principal investigator is [[David J. McComas]] of [[Princeton University]]. The Johns Hopkins University's [[Applied Physics Laboratory]] in Laurel, Maryland, will provide project management. The mission will carry 10 science instruments provided by international and domestic research organizations and universities.<ref name="NASA selection" /> |
The mission's principal investigator is [[David J. McComas]] of [[Princeton University]]. The Johns Hopkins University's [[Applied Physics Laboratory]] in Laurel, Maryland, will provide project management. The mission will carry 10 science instruments provided by international and domestic research organizations and universities.<ref name="NASA selection" /> |
||
Artist concept of IMAP imaging the heliospheric boundary
| |
| Mission type | Heliosphere research |
|---|---|
| Operator | Applied Physics Laboratory |
| Website | imap |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Applied Physics Laboratory |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2024 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Sun–Earth L1 |
| Regime | Halo orbit |
The Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) is a heliophysics mission that simultaneously investigates two important and coupled science topics in the heliosphere: the acceleration of energetic particles and interaction of the solar wind with the local interstellar medium. These science topics are coupled because particles accelerated in the inner heliosphere play crucial roles in the outer heliospheric interaction. In 2018, NASA selected an IMAP team led by David J. McComasofPrinceton University to implement the mission. The planned launch for IMAP is in October, 2024.[1] The IMAP spacecraft has a science payload of ten instruments and is a simple Sun-pointed spinner in orbit about the Sun-Earth L1 Lagrangian point. IMAP also continuously broadcasts real-time in-situ data that can be used for space weather prediction.
It is the fifth mission selected in the Solar Terrestrial Probes program, after TIMED, Hinode, STEREO and MMS.[1]
Acceleration of charged particles up to high energy is ubiquitous throughout the universe, occurring at stars, magnetospheres, black holes, neutron stars, supernova remnants, and other locations. The precise processes of this acceleration are not well understood. There is an intermediate population, suprathermal particles, which have energies between the energetic particles and the bulk thermal plasma. Understanding how these particles are energized and form the seed population of the energetic particles is a one of the science topics that IMAP studies.
The solar wind and its associated magnetic field have blown a bubble in interstellar space that is called the heliosphere. IMAP studies the heliosphere boundary where the solar wind collides with material from the rest of the galaxy. Using Energetic Neutral Atoms (ENAs), IMAP can image this interaction region from the inner Solar System. In addition, IMAP can also directly measure the neutral particles of the interstellar medium, because they flow through the heliosphere relatively unmodified.
IMAP science goals are based on the four science objectives specified in the IMAP Announcement of Opportunity[2] (from the outside in): 1) Improve understanding of the composition and properties of the local interstellar medium (LISM). 2) Advance understanding of the temporal and spatial evolution of the boundary region in which the solar wind and the interstellar medium interact. 3) Identify and advance the understanding of processes related to the interactions of the magnetic field of the Sun and the LISM. 4) Identify and advance understanding of particle injection and acceleration processes near the Sun, in the heliosphere and heliosheath.
The spacecraft will be positioned about one million miles (1.5 million kilometers) away from Earth towards the Sun at what is called the first Lagrange point L1. This will allow the probe to maximize use of its instruments to monitor the interactions between solar wind and the interstellar medium in the outer Solar System.[1]
This is the fifth mission in NASA's Solar Terrestrial Probes (STP) program.[3] The Heliophysics Program Office at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the STP program for the agency's Heliophysics Division in Washington.
The mission's principal investigator is David J. McComasofPrinceton University. The Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, will provide project management. The mission will carry 10 science instruments provided by international and domestic research organizations and universities.[1]
The mission is cost-capped at US$492 million, excluding cost for the launch vehicle. NASA's Launch Services Program (LSP) will select and manage the launch service.[1]
NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) intends to release a Third Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON-3) Program Element Appendix (PEA) for the 2018 Heliophysics Technology Demonstration (TechDemo) Mission of Opportunity (MO).[4][needs update] TechDemo investigations will launch on the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP). The payloads are designated as Class D as defined in NPR 8705.4.
TechDemo investigations must be proposed for flight as a secondary payload with the IMAP mission. Up to two ports on a Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) will be provided to accommodate this investigation. The ESPA is intended to be an unpowered, non-propulsive, ESPA Grande ring. The TechDemo SCM(s) will be released from the ESPA and/or the IMAP launch vehicle after IMAP injection into a transfer orbit to the Earth-Sun L1 Lagrangian point.
Down-selection is targeted for the third quarter FY 2020.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
