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Spitzer Resurrector Mission: Advantages for Space Weather Research and Operations

Spitzer Resurrector Mission: Advantages for Space Weather Research and Operations

Authors :
Shawn M. Usman
Giovanni G. Fazio
Christopher A. Grasso
Ryan C. Hickox
Cameo Lance
William B. Rideout
Daveanand M. Singh
Howard A. Smith
Angelos Vourlidas
Joseph L. Hora
Gary J. Melnick
Matthew Ashby
Volker Tolls
Steven Willner
Salma Benitez
Source :
Aerospace, Vol 11, Iss 7, p 560 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

In 1979, NASA established the Great Observatory program, which included four telescopes (Hubble, Compton, Chandra, and Spitzer) to explore the Universe. The Spitzer Space Telescope was launched in 2003 into solar orbit, gradually drifting away from the Earth. Spitzer was operated very successfully until 2020 when NASA terminated observations and placed the telescope in safe mode. In 2028, the U.S. Space Force has the opportunity to demonstrate satellite servicing by telerobotically reactivating Spitzer for astronomical observations, and in a separate experiment, carry out novel Space Weather research and operations capabilities by observing solar Coronal Mass Ejections. This will be accomplished by launching a small satellite, the Spitzer-Resurrector Mission (SRM), to rendezvous with Spitzer in 2030, positioning itself around it, and serving as a relay for recommissioning and science operations. A sample of science goals for Spitzer is briefly described, but the focus of this paper is on the unique opportunity offered by SRM to demonstrate novel Space Weather research and operations capabilities.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
11070560 and 22264310
Volume :
11
Issue :
7
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Aerospace
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.41ef64d091e642a48177e8c82816ef33
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11070560