Using Small-Sats, Cube-Sats and Out-of-the-Box Ideas to Address Major NASA Science Goals

Abstract:

Small-Sats and Cube-Sats have proven their usefulness to cutting-edge heliophysics science over the past handful of years. Their benefits include low-cost access to space, rideshare or hosted payload capabilities, the ability to gain multi-point simultaneous measurements from identical sensors and their use as 'disposable' vehicles to reach less-measured areas of geospace. The recent GDC (Geospace Dynamics Constellation) Science and Technology Definitions Team identified different mission scenarios, with multiple permutations, that could use Small- and Cube-Sats to achieve the high-level, impactful science closure necessary for revolutionizing our understanding the ionosphere-thermosphere system, or the interface between Earth and space. These mission implementation scenarios will be discussed, along with the new and emerging technologies that will be critical for the eventual mission design.