NittanySat—a student satellite mission for D-region study and calibration of riometers
Document ID: 282
Bilén, Sven G.1
Philbrick, C. Russell1
Escobar, Adam C.1
Schratz, Brian C.1
Thrane, Eivind V.2
Gausa, Michael2
Dahle, Kolbjørn2
Honary, Farideh3
Marple, Steven3
Smith, Roger4
Friedrich, Martin5
Zilaji, Thomas5
1 The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Electrical Engineering, University Park, PA, U.S.A.
2 Andøya Rocket Range, Andenes, Norway
3 Lancaster University, Lancaster, England
4 University of Alaska, Geophysical Institute, Fairbanks, AK, U.S.A.
5 Graz University of Technology, Institute of Communication Networks and Satellite Communications, Graz, Austria
Abstract
NittanySat is a nanosatellite currently under development that will be used to study variations in the D-region ionosphere and to provide calibration for ground-based riometers. The D-region will be investigated using measurements of the total ionospheric absorption of HF signals at three four?? frequencies transmitted from the ground to this small polar-orbiting satellite. The larger signal loss observed at the lower frequencies is due to ionospheric absorption and, thus, is comparable to what a riometer measures. The possibility for measuring at high latitude stations in Norway and Alaska will provide opportunities to study the D-region variations during geophysically active periods. Design considerations and initial simulations are presented. NittanySat is a participant in the 5th University Nanosatellite Program, which was established to train students in satellite systems.