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

调查人员将针对国际空间站（ISS）作为研究电离层-热层-中间层（ITM）区域感兴趣的现象的发射平台的可行性和用途进行详细的研究。他们将执行(1)与戈达德太空飞行中心太阳物理部空间天气实验室合作进行科学技术论证可行性研究；2)与约翰逊航天中心空间环境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；3)与艾姆斯研究中心小卫星技术小组合作进行小卫星（如立方体卫星）存储容器接口和在轨操作工程设计和贸易研究。目的是验证从国际空间站发射大量小卫星的可行性。这样做，将为一种独特的方法奠定基础，以解决突出的空间天气问题，并推进我们对电离层的认识。S与中间层、热层和磁层的相互作用。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，需要在125至250公里的困难高度范围内进行现场测量，并对超级风暴或平流层预警等空间天气现象做出快速反应。通过验证使用国际空间站外部有效载荷能力按需发射“星座”的成本效益和技术可行性方法，将为国家机构以及商业和教育实体提供一种新的低轨道发射能力。虽然这项研究的重点是电离层-热层-中间层以及最终的磁层科学，但新的访问能力并没有受到如此大的限制，覆盖范围更广的科学和技术任务将得以实现。

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.