| Session Details | |
| Section | ST - Solar & Terrestrial Sciences |
| Session Title | Use of Nano/microsatellites for Solar-terrestrial Studies |
| Main Convener | Prof. Kyoung Wook Min (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Korea, South) |
| Co-convener(s) | Prof. Koichiro Oyama (National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan) Dr. Alfred Chen (National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan) Prof. Devi Minakshi (Gauhati University, India) Prof. Andrew Yau (University of Calgary, Canada) |
| Session Description | With advancements in satellite technology, it has become possible to conduct space observations at relatively low costs. This has become even more so with the introduction of CubeSat, which weighs only a few kilograms but is still equipped with basic functions such as telecommunication, on-board computing, and attitude control. Hence, it is no wonder that there have been many CubeSat missions designed to observe the near-Earth space environment. One important merit of using low-cost nano/microsatellites for the solar-terrestrial space environment is that we can perform coordinated observations from a constellation of satellites at low costs, which may furnish valuable information on physical phenomena occurring at various spatial/temporal scales. A good example is the QB50 project, which will make multi-point measurements of key ionospheric/thermospheric parameters to understand this least explored layer of the atmosphere. The purpose of this session is to provide an opportunity to discuss possible coordinated observations using nano/microsatellites for the study of space science such as dynamical coupling between the atmosphere, ionosphere, and the magnetosphere, and ionospheric variability as a precursor of earthquakes. Fortunately, we have witnessed a growing involvement of countries of the Asian and Oceanic region in small satellite businesses: many of the countries in the region are now developing or operating small satellites. It would be not only beneficial to solar-terrestrial science but also an outstanding international collaboration if the scientists in the region could put efforts together to develop and operate nano/microsatellites for common scientific goals in an organized way. We invite presentations of recent and ongoing nano/microsatellite missions as well as proposed future missions and mission concepts related to solar-terrestrial physics including interplanetary studies. We also invite presentations of instrumental technologies that can be utilized for observations on nano/microsatellites. |