Geophysical Rockets Research Articles

Numerical Simulations of the First Stage of Dynamics of a High-Speed Plasma Jet in Fluxus and North Star Active Geophysical Rocket Experiments

Numerical Simulations of the First Stage of Dynamics of a High-Speed Plasma Jet in Fluxus and North Star Active Geophysical Rocket Experiments

The system of vertical movement stabilization of the geophysical rocket for the purpose of high-precision measurement

The paper shows the system of vertical movement stabilization of the geophysical rocket (GR) for the purpose of high-precision measurement. The stabilization system is one of the main systems comprising GR’s vehicle information and control system (VICS). The model uses kinematic relations reflecting continuous changes of yaw, pitch and roll angles expressed with dynamic and kinematic equations. The computer model of GR vertical movement stabilization was developed, verified and simulated by means of SimInTech dynamic modeling.

Correction of Electron Density Profiles in the Low Ionosphere Based on the Data of Vertical Sounding with the IRI Model

The method of correcting the daytime vertical profiles of electron plasma frequency in the low ionosphere from International Refererence Ionosphere (IRI) model in accordance with the measured data of the virtual heights and absorption of signal radiowaves (method А1) reflected from the bottom of E-region at vertical sounding (VS) is presented. The method is based on the replacement of the IRI model profile by an approximation of analytical dependence with parameters determined according to VS data and partially by the IRI model. The method is tested by the results of four joint ground-based and rocket experiments carried out in the 1970s at midlatitudes of the European part of Russia upon the launches of high-altitude geophysical rockets of the Vertical series. It is shown that the consideration of both virtual reflection heigths and absorption makes it possible to obtain electron density distributions that show the best agreement with the rocket measurements made at most height ranges in the D- and E-regions. In additional, the obtained distributions account more adequately than the IRI model for the contributions of D- and E-regions to absorption of signals reflected above these regions.

Project “Development of the Methodology of Experiment and Technical Support for Studies of the Flow Cyclotron Maser in the Earth's Magnetosphere by Creating an Artificial Ionization Cloud From a Geophysical Rocket”

Investigation of the wave particle interaction in the magnetosphere and ionosphere by controllable experiment in near Earth space is in focus of modern space geophysics. We propose to stimulate auroral precipitation by changing parameters of the Flow Cyclotron Maser (FCM) and test the FCM model itself. One of the main goals of the project is inducing of artificial pulsating aurora.

Studying characteristics of the large-scale ionospheric irregularities induced by high-power HF radio emission with GPS diagnosis

UDC 533.9 We present the results of experimental studies of artificial large-scale irregularities of the ionospheric electron number density with dual-frequency GPS diagnosis. The total electron content was analyzed in the GPS signal trajectory when the satellites passed over the heated region. Spectral composition of the observed variations was determined by wavelet analysis. Characteristic scales of artificial irregularities of the electron number density in the F layer are estimated. It is experimentally proved that the irregularities remain for at least 15–20 min after the transmitter is switched off. A more confident excitation and increased intensity of the irregularities were also confirmed when the beam was inclined south of the magnetic-zenith direction. When the ionosphere is affected by high-power HF radio emission, electron-density irregularities with sizes from tens of centimeters to tens of kilometers are formed in the region of its reflection [1]. Diagnosis of the large-scale (more than 0.5 km) structure of the ionospheric region disturbed by a high-power radio wave was based on raying the ionosphere by decametric radio emission from space radio sources, aspect scattering of HF and UHF radio waves, raying the heated region by UHF signals of low-orbit and geostationary satellites, satellite radio tomography, and electron density in-situ measurements during the flyby of spacecraft and geophysical rockets through and over the heated region (see [1, 2] and the references cited therein). Large-scale irregularities with scales 5–50 km can also be effectively studied using dual-frequency raying by signals of the Navstar (GPS) or GLONASS microwave satellite systems. During propagation through the heated region, such signals acquire an additional phase increment stipulated by the dispersion of radio waves in the ionospheric plasma and linearly related to the total electron content (TEC) on the propagation trajectory [3, 4]. Since the early eighties, this method has been used to determine the TEC in the ionosphere under natural conditions, and since 2007 the Navstar satellites have intensely been used to determine the total electron content in the ionosphere during the experiments on ionosphere modification by high-power HF radio emission. Such studies were based on the HAARP [5] and Sura [2, 6] facilities. A TEC increase correlated with the ionospheric heating was observed in the daytime experiments [2] and [5]. In [6], where the observations were performed mainly after the sunset with the beam of the Sura facility inclined 12 ◦ south in the geomagnetic meridian plane, both a notable TEC increase in the heated region determined by the angular sizes of the antenna pattern and long-period (10–15 min) TEC variations relative to the average value were recorded. On the basis of obtained results, the authors of [6] made a statement about the manifestation of the magnetic-zenith effect as the most effective impact on the ionosphere in the direction along the geomagnetic field.

Dusty plasma processes in Earth's environments containing nano- and microscale grains

AbstractReview of plasma processes in the Earth's environments containing nano- and microscale grains is presented. Possible observational manifestations of dusty ionospheric plasmas during high-speed meteor showers are described. A unified explanation of ionization properties of the polar mesosphere under summer conditions is given. Dusty plasma processes are also considered in application to active geophysical rocket experiments which involve release of some gaseous substance in near-Earth space, the origin of the primary Earth's crust, hydrosphere and atmosphere, and global electromagnetic Schumann resonances.

New approach to the construction of the Earth’s upper atmosphere model using the satellite local data on the atmosphere

The present-day models of the Earth’s upper atmosphere make it possible to construct the spatial-temporal pattern of variations in the atmospheric parameters on the planetary scale in essence in the averaged form. The set of data on the satellite deceleration in the atmosphere, probe measurements aboard geophysical rockets, and radiowave incoherent scatter measurements in the Earth’s atmosphere are used to construct these standard models. The current level of the space studies makes it possible to use a new method to study the Earth’s upper atmosphere: to study the upper atmosphere by measuring the absorption of the solar XUV radiation by the Earth’s atmosphere during the solar disk observations.

Dusty Plasma Processes in Geophysics

Review of dusty plasma phenomena in application to geophysical problems is presented. Possible observational manifestations of dusty ionospheric plasmas during high-speed meteor showers are described. A unified explanation of ionization properties of the polar mesosphere under summer conditions is given. Dusty plasma processes are also considered in application to active geophysical rocket experiments which involve release of some gaseous substance in near-Earth space, the origin of the primary Earth’s crust, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, and global electromagnetic Schumann resonances.

The contribution of this country's scientists to research on the ionosphere and solar-terrestrial relationships

This paper analyzes the achievements of our country's scientists in heliogeophysical studies in the period after the first International Geophysical Year (1957-58), the experience of which was taken into account in organizing and carrying out an array of projects in solar-terrestrial physics. The use of the first geophysical rockets and later of scientific satellites in the study of the ionosphere showed that fundamental improvements were needed in the theory of the formation of the ionosphere. It was necessary to construct de novo empirical and theoretical models of the spectra and fluxes of short-wavelength solar radiation from the x-ray to the UV range. To do this, a model of the sun's upper atmosphere was created in which the main role belongs to the transitional region between the chromosphere and the corona. © 2005 Optical Society of America

Plasma Jet Motion Across the Geomagnetic Field in the “North Star” Active Geophysical Experiment

The active geophysical rocket experiment “North Star” was carried out in the auroral ionosphere on January 22, 1999, at the Poker Flat Research Range (Alaska, USA) using the American research rocket Black Brant XII with explosive plasma generators on board. Separable modules with scientific equipment were located at distances of from 170 to 1595 m from the plasma source. The experiment continued the series of the Russian–American joint experiments started by the “Fluxus” experiment in 1997. Two injections of aluminum plasma across the magnetic field were conducted in the “North Star” experiment. They were different, since in the first injection a neutral gas cloud was formed in order to increase the plasma ionization due to the interaction of neutrals of the jet and cloud. The first and second injections were conducted at heights of 360 and 280 km, respectively. The measurements have shown that the charged particle density was two orders of magnitude higher in the experiment with the gas release. The magnetic field in the first injection was completely expelled by the dense plasma of the jet. The displacement of the magnetic field in the second injection was negligible. The plasma jet velocity in both injections decreased gradually due to its interaction with the geomagnetic field. One of the most interesting results of the experiment was the conservation of high plasma density during the propagation of the divergent jet to considerable distances. This fact can be explained by the action of the critical ionization velocity mechanism.

Shocks in dusty plasmas: theory and experiment

The main theoretical and experimental results on ion acoustic shock waves in dusty plasmas are reviewed. Two situations are considered: when the dust charge variation is caused by only the microscopic electron and ion currents at the grains and when it is caused by the microscopic currents and the photoelectric current of electrons. The possibilities of observation of shock waves related to the dust charging process in laboratory experiments, in active geophysical rocket experiments, and in astrophysical phenomena are discussed.

Dynamics of a high energy plasma jet in space: In situ experiment and laboratory simulation

The Active Geophysical Rocket Experiment (AGRE) is a joint Russian/USA project whose objective is to investigate the dynamics of a plasma jet in space and attendant phenomena in the magnetosphere, ionosphere and atmosphere of the Earth. This project also includes a laboratory experiment designed to simulate the AGRE experiment. The results of the laboratory simulation show the important role of field-aligned current generation associated with plasma jet injections transverse to the magnetic field. It is found that field-aligned currents have an influence on the plasma jet dynamics, ambient ionosphere, and atmosphere.

Evolution of an Artificial Ion Cloud and Stimulated Plasma Instabilities in the Equatorial Ionosphere During Active Experiments on the CRRES Satellite and Geophysical Rockets

Evolution of an Artificial Ion Cloud and Stimulated Plasma Instabilities in the Equatorial Ionosphere During Active Experiments on the CRRES Satellite and Geophysical Rockets

Measurements of the energy spectra of charged particles within the vertical-10 rocket experiment

On December 21-st, 1981, at 18.35 hours UT from the territory of the USSR (coordinates - 49°N/L 2/) in implementation of scientific objectives and in accordance with the ‘INTERCOSMOS’ Programme, there was launched the heavy geophysical rocket ‘VERTICAL-10’. The scientific payload included a low-energy two-channel spectrometer for measuring the differential flows of electrons and protons within the energy range 0.1 to 10 keV, covered by 15 exponentially distributed energy levels.

Comprehensive investigation of the basic parameters of the upper atmosphere at the time of the flight of the geophysical rocket “vertical-6”

Ion temperature and total ion concentration measured on 25th October 1977 during the flight of the geophysical rocket “Vertical-6” are analyzed. The solar EUV fluxes determined in five wave-length bands with a photoelectron analyzer are also given. The observed anomalous variation of ion temperature between 700 and 900 km and the measured ion concentration can be explained, if the charge exchange reactions H + ⇌ O + and diffusion are taken into account.

Rocket study of ionization and recombination rates in the F-region taking account of charged particle drift

The information on neutral and ionized components of the upper atmosphere is obtained as a result of simultaneous measurements performed with Soviet geophysical rockets by means of the dispersion interferometer, the photoelectron analyser and probe instruments. The height profile of the effective recombination coefficient in the F2-region was calculated with each of three following assumptions: 1. (1) the motion term was ignored in the ionization balance equation; 2. (2) the motion term was accounted for the vertical diffusion; 3. (3) the vertical diffusion and the neutral wind effect calculated by J.W. King was taken into account. Evaluations showed that in some cases the charged particle transfer essentially affects both the altitude distribution of the effective recombination coefficient and its absolute values above the F2-region maximum. Variations of these values can reach a factor of 2 if the charged particle transfer is taken into account.

Measurements of the electrostatic field strength near the surface of geophysical rockets in the upper atmosphere: I. M. Imyanitov, G. L. Gdalevich and Ya. M. Shvarts (pp. 66–81)

Measurements of the electrostatic field strength near the surface of geophysical rockets in the upper atmosphere: I. M. Imyanitov, G. L. Gdalevich and Ya. M. Shvarts (pp. 66–81)

The effect of decreases in solar activity on cosmic ray intensity from measurements on geophysical rockets in 1958 and 1960: Y. G. Shafer: (pp. 85–88)

The effect of decreases in solar activity on cosmic ray intensity from measurements on geophysical rockets in 1958 and 1960: Y. G. Shafer: (pp. 85–88)

Investigation of the X-ray radiation of the sun-I. Measurements by geophysical rockets (pp. 12–21)

Investigation of the X-ray radiation of the sun-I. Measurements by geophysical rockets (pp. 12–21)

Instrumentation for Rocket Measurements of the Density of Free Electrons in the Ionosphere

T paper brieffy describes the system of radio instruments employed in the study of the distribution of electron concentration with height in the ionosphere, employing the vertically launched geophysical rockets of the Acadenry of Sciences USSR ( l^ ) . 1 The system comprises: a) A system of radio transmitters and transmitting antennas installed on the rocket, b) ground receiving antennas, c) receivingphase-measuring equipment, and d) recording and auxiliary equipment. The work was based on the dispersion interferometer principle proposed by Mandel'shtam and Papaleski in 1937 (3). The method of measurement, basis for selecting the radio frequencies and the measurement results are set out in Ref. 4. It will be said here only that the measurements consisted in the determination of the change in phase difference of two coherent oscillations emitted from the rocket when received on the ground as the result of radio wave dispersion in the ionosphere. For this purpose, from 1954 to 1958 radio waves were used with frequencies fx = 144 Mc per sec and f2 = 48 Mc per sec; in addition to these frequencies, from 1958 a third frequency /3 = 24 Mc per sec was used (with additional recording of the phase difference on the frequencies /i and fz). The phase difference of two coherent signals with different frequencies fx = pf2 and /2, where p > 1 is defined as the quantity Ap = (pi — p(p2, i.e., the phase difference referred to the higher frequency. In order to calculate the mean electron density ne over the altitude range Ah corresponding to the measured phase difference variation A , use was made of equation quency, ne can readily be determined over the altitude range Ah, corresponding to rotation through the angle d