EAGER: The International Space Station (ISS) as Launch Platform for Phenomena of Interest in the Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Mesosphere (ITM)

EAGER：国际空间站（ISS）作为电离层-热层-中间层（ITM）感兴趣现象的发射平台

• 批准号: 1052335
• 负责人: Charles Swenson
• 金额: $ 6.97万
• 依托单位: Utah State University Research Foundation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-09-15 至 2012-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1052335&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: EAGER; International; Space; Station; ISS

The investigators will conduct a detailed study targeting the viability and use of the International Space Station (ISS) as a launch platform for studying phenomena of interest in the Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Mesosphere (ITM) region. They will perform (1) a science and technology demonstration viability study in collaboration with the Goddard Space Flight Center Heliophysics Division Space Weather laboratory; 2) a launch vehicle and International Space Station integration and deployment process systems engineering design and trade study in collaboration with the Johnson Space Center Space Environments group and Payload Office; and 3) a small satellite (e.g., CubeSat) storage container interface and on-orbit operations engineering design and trade study in collaboration the AMES Research Center Small Satellite Technology group.The objective is to verify that it is feasible to launch large numbers of small satellites from the ISS. In so doing, the stage will be set for a unique method to address outstanding space-weather issues as well as advance our knowledge of the ionosphere?s interactions with the mesosphere, thermosphere, and magnetosphere. The strategic location of the ISS makes it an ideal platform from which to address science questions the need for in situ measurements to be made in both a difficult altitude range 125 to 250 km, and in rapid response to space weather phenomena such as a Superstorm or a stratospheric warning. By verifying that a cost effective and technically feasible method to use the ISS external payload capability to launch "constellations" on demand will provide national agencies, as well as commercial and educational entities, a new launch capability for LEO. Although the study focuses on ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere and ultimately magnetosphere science, the new access capability is not so restricted and science and technology missions covering a broader range will be enabled.

调查人员将针对国际空间站作为研究电离层-热层-中层(ITM)区域感兴趣现象的发射平台的可行性和用途进行详细研究。他们将执行(1)与戈达德航天飞行中心太阳物理学司空间气象实验室合作进行的科学技术论证可行性研究；2)与约翰逊空间中心空间环境小组和有效载荷办公室合作进行运载火箭和国际空间站集成和部署过程系统工程设计和贸易研究；以及3)与艾姆斯研究中心小卫星技术小组合作进行一颗小卫星(如立方体卫星)存储集装箱接口和在轨运行工程设计和贸易研究。通过这样做，将为解决悬而未决的空间气象问题以及促进我们对电离层-S与中间层、热层和磁层的相互作用-的独特方法奠定基础。国际空间站的战略位置使其成为解决科学问题的理想平台，这些问题包括在125至250公里的困难高度范围内进行现场测量的必要性，以及对超级风暴或平流层警告等空间天气现象做出快速反应的必要性。通过核实使用国际空间站外部有效载荷能力按需发射“星座”的成本效益和技术上可行的方法，将为国家机构以及商业和教育实体提供新的低轨卫星发射能力。虽然这项研究的重点是电离层--热层--中间层，最终是磁层科学，但新的访问能力并不那么受限，将能够进行覆盖更广范围的科学和技术任务。