Abstract
Planned active space experiments and ideas for future active space experiments are reviewed. Three active experiments being readied are DSX (Demonstration and Space eXperiments), SMART (Space Measurement of Rocket-released Turbulence), and BeamPIE (Beam Plasma Interaction Experiment). Ideas for future experiments include relativistic-electron-beam experiments for magnetic-field-line tracing, relativistic-electron-beam experiments to probe the middle atmosphere, plasma-wave launching using superparamagnetic-nanoparticle amplification of magnetic fields, the heavy-ion mass loading of collisionless magnetic-field-line reconnection, the use of electrostatically charged tethers to pitch-angle scatter radiation-belt particles, cold plasma releases to modify magnetospheric plasma physics, and neutral-gas releases to enhance neutral-particle imaging of the magnetosphere. Technologies that are being developed to enable future space active experiments are reviewed: this includes the development of compact relativistic accelerators, superparamagnetic particle amplified antennae, CubeSats, and a new understanding of how to control dynamic spacecraft charging. New capabilities to use laboratory facilities to design space active experiments as well as new computer-simulation capabilities to design and understand space active experiments are reviewed.
Highlights
Space active experiments are experiments that deliberately perturb the space environment in ways that can yield new information about the environment
Demonstration and Science eXperiments (DSX) will work in conjunction with the Very Low Frequency (VLF) and Particle Mapper (VPM) nanosat mission in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which will act as a far-field probe for DSX
Magnetospheric barium and lithium release experiments were performed in the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorer (AMPTE) (Krimigis et al, 1982) and the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) programs, with several scientific goals including substorm triggering and stimulation of particle precipitation
Summary
Space active experiments are experiments that deliberately perturb the space environment in ways that can yield new information about the environment. Grandal, 1982; Winckler, 1992; Raitt, 1995; Unan and Rietveld, 1995; James et al, 1998; Haerendel, 2018; Pongratz, 2018; Prech et al, 2018; Mishin, 2019; Winske et al, 2019 for reviews) These past experiments have involved electron and ion beams, plasma releases, chemical releases, tethers, antennae, and nuclear detonations. Following the “mandate” from the Santa Fe workshop, the goal of this paper is to demonstrate the importance and uniqueness of space active experiments and to generate increased enthusiasm toward an area that, fostered by many new innovations, can tremendously improve our understanding of the near-Earth environment. At the Santa Fe workshop, there was an overwhelming call to pass the knowledge and capabilities of active space experiments on from the older generation to newer scientists
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