USU Center of Excellence in Theory and Analysis of the Geo-Plasma Environment
Abstract
A team of ten Ph.D. scientists and several graduate students has been assembled at USU to work in close collaboration with scientists at the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory 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 is 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 our specific tasks include the following: (1) Studies of ionospheric structure and irregularities; (2) Study the feasibility of developing better operational ionospheric models; (3) Conduct model/data comparisons in order to validate the ionospheric models; (4) Study plasma electrodynamics in the high latitude ionosphere; (5) Study magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling problems; (6) Continue the development of our thermospheric circulation model; (7) Study plasmasphere refilling problems; (8) Study OTH ray tracing problems at high latitudes; and (9) Study certain spacecraft-environment interaction problems, including those related to high-voltage power sources, spacecraft outgassing, artificial plasma cloud expansion, and spacecraft charging at LEO altitudes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 25, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA252189
Entities
People
- Robert W. Schunk
Organizations
- Utah State University