Publications

2010, Bremen ESA’s Earth observation Mission Swarm is scheduled for launch middle of 2011. The fleet of three satellites will provide many opportunities for dedicated studies of ionospheric-magnetospheric processes. The Swarm spacecraft are quite similar to the German CHAMP satellite. For that reason experience gained from CHAMP measurements can be regarded as benchmarks for investigations to be considered for Swarm. Here we are reporting on CHAMP results obtained from combined ground-satellite observations. The equatorial electrojet (EEJ) is an intense current system that can be deduced conveniently from ground and satellite magnetic field data. In a series of studies the EEJ has been better characterised by combining readings from above and below. Another example is the relation between vertical plasma drift and the evolution of the equatorial ionisation anomaly (EIA). By correlating the plasma drift obtained from radar measurements with simultaneous electron density measurements at 400km altitude we could determine, in which way the EIA is responding to changes of the vertical plasma velocity. Furthermore, we studied the substorm onset current system. Important new insights where gained by combining ground-based observatory data with CHAMP measurements. The additional constrains of observations from above and below the ionosphere helped to construct a much more detailed substorm current wedge model.

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Lühr, H. (2010): Research opportunities related to ESA’s Swarm mission: Potential of combined ground-satellite observations. 38th COSPAR Scientific Assembly (Bremen 2010).