Importance of satellite constellations to measure global ionosphere- thermosphere-mesosphere composition, temperature and winds
Whitepaper #278 in the Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033. Main topics: space weather applications; basic research. Additional topics: other basic research; other space weather; space-based missions/projects; system science.
by Aimee Merkel, Erich Becker, Scott Budzien, Manbharat Dhadly, Richard Eastes, Scott Evans, Quan Gan, Katelynn Greer, V. Lynn Harvey, Laura Holt, McArthur Jones, Jr., William McClintock, Nicholas Pedatella, and Sharon Vadas
Published onJul 31, 2023
Importance of satellite constellations to measure global ionosphere- thermosphere-mesosphere composition, temperature and winds
An opportunity for high impact science linking vertical coupling in the ionosphere-thermosphere-atmosphere region through the facilitation of constellation missions. It is our recommendation that a continual system of low Earth orbit constellations > 3 satellites each (i.e., A Starlink system for heliophysics, with the continuity of the GOES program) be a high priority in the 2024 decadal survey.
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