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YFF-Yngre, fremragende forskere

Space Research and Technology Development Program

Awarded: NOK 7.0 mill.

This research proposal describes fundamental problems of ionosphere-magnetospheric physics which can be closed by the combination of detailed in-situ measurements by sounding rockets and continuous monitoring by remote radar and optical observations from ground. One problem complex is to address the physical mechanisms(s) which run the cusp ionospheric plasma unstable and facilitate backscatter targets for coherent HF radars. In addition to the genuine basic research aspect, the outcome may have practical relevance for transmission of satellite signals through the ionosphere. For example obscuration of GPS signals near the edges of the auroral oval, likely due to density gradients and plasma irregularities. The project involves one fully instrumented sc ientific rocket to be flown from Svalbard in December/January 2007/2008. New instrumentation for this flight will be tested on available "free flights" from Andøya in 2005 and 2006. At the University of Oslo and SINTEF, expert knowledge exists on analog a nd digital electronics, micro-and sensor technology, information technology and material science, all of which are of great importance for space engineering. The idea is to form a consortium which focuses existing knowledge towards space applications, and hopefully this can lead to a space science center (real or virtual) of highest standards within the ESA community, also of industrial importance.

Funding scheme:

YFF-Yngre, fremragende forskere