USU Center of Excellence in Theory and Analysis of the Geo-Plasma Environment
Abstract
A team of eleven Ph.D. scientists and several graduate students was assembled at USU to work in close collaboration with scientists at the Air Force Geophysics Lab on a number of problems that are relevant to Air Force systems, including OTH radars, communications, and orbiting space structures. The overall goal of the research was to obtain a better understanding of the basic chemical and physical processes operating in the geoplasma environment, including the ionosphere, thermosphere, and magnetosphere. Some of the specific tasks included the following: 1) Studies of ionospheric structure and irregularities; 2) Study the feasibility of developing better operational ionospheric models for the Air Force; 3) Conduct model/data comparisons in order to validate the ionospheric models; 4) Study plasma convection characteristics in the high-latitude ionosphere; 5) Study magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling problems; 6) Construct a thermospheric general circulation model; 7) Develop a 3D, time-dependent model of the outer plasmasphere; 8) Develop a 3D, time-dependent MHD model of the earth's magnetosphere; 9) Conduct satellite drag studies; and 10) Study certain spacecraft-environment interaction problems, including those related to high-voltage power sources, spacecraft outgassing, and spacecraft charging at LEO altitudes. Keywords: Modeling; Theory; Analysis; Ionosphere; Magnetosphere; Thermosphere; Densities; Temperatures; Velocities; Irregularities; Instabilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 30, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA217736
Entities
People
- Robert W. Schunk
Organizations
- Utah State University