SORTIE Spacecraft

Advance understanding of ionospheric irregularities and the roles of various drivers in their formation.

Advance understanding of ionospheric irregularities and the roles of various drivers in their formation in order to improve predictive capabilities. The purpose is to collect data over the course of 6 months, which will allow scientists to describe the distribution of wave-like structures in the plasma density of the ionospheric F-region and to connect these variations to wave sources in the troposphere and in the high latitude thermosphere. Carry two instruments for determining the structure of equatorial plasma: a miniature Ion Velocity Meter (mini-IVM) and a micro Planar Langmuir Probe (μPLP).

Checkout of observatory functionality (e.g., pointing, communications, power generation, thermal stability, heater functionality) has been completed. Prior to the commencement of nominal operations, the science team is completing the check-out phase of the science sensor performance, followed by commissioning. The uPLP is operating nominally. The IVM is operating nominally. The following highlights the activity of the IVM team to date as part of the checkout (early ops) phase.

• AzTechSat-1
• CryoCube
• MakerSat1
• SORTIE
• QARMAN
• CIRiS
• EdgeCube
• Mini-Carb
• ORCA-8
• VPM