Effects Stimulated by Radiation of the SURA Facility in the Geophysical Experiments Program at the International Space Station in 2017

Abstract

The set of experiments in 2017 included the forecasting of geo- and heliophysical conditions in the ionosphere, the choice of heating regimes at a minimum critical frequency of the F2 ionospheric layer, analysis of the ionosphere radio sounding results and measurements of geomagnetic perturbations using ground-based facilities, study of the potential for higher efficiency and probability of artificial effects on the ionosphere, and the establishment of a correlation between geomagnetic field variations and the radio heating facility cyclogram. The experiments were carried out with a combination of new heating conditions (pulse ratio, period of action, two-frequency and continuous heating, variations in radiated power, polarization, shortwave radiation direction, etc.) in the intervals between recurrent magnetic storms. Geomagnetic field pulsations (in accordance with the cyclogram) and substorm effects were stimulated by the SURA facility against a background of quiet geophysical conditions.