Proposed Priority Science Operations Topic

SPOT No. 10: Topic 'Coordinated Polar/Rocket Campaign To Study Pulsating Aurora'

Topic Description

Two rocket launches are planned from Poker Flat, Alaska during the period March 1-14, 1997. The launch time will be at or post local midnight (12-16 UT) when the auroral conditions are favourable. In particular, it is hoped that pulsating aurora will be observed. The NRT Polar data will be used to assess the overall auroral activity on a daily basis so that the optimum launch times can be chosen.

Epoch/Orbit CHARACTERISTICS

March 1-14, 1997 - Polar at or near apogee and when possible, viewing Poker Flat, Alaska

POLAR DATA REQUIRED

UVI, near real time data required for 4 hours around apogee and when Poker Flat (around local midnight) is in the UVI field-of-view

POLAR De-Spun PLATFORM OPERATIONS

UVI viewing Poker Flat

OTHER ISTP Missions/Instruments REQUIREMENTS

None

Topic Proposed by: George Parks

e-mail: parks@geophys.washington.edu