Formation Flying Instrumentation for Remote Sensing of the Solar Corona
Abstract
The Sun is the closest and most luminous astrophysical object, yet observational advances in many aspects of solar physics are limited by photometric/spatial/temporal/spectral/polarimetric resolution. Increased aperture and longer optical throws are essential build on the advances achieved in the SOHO, STEREO, Hinode and SDO missions. However, in the case of space-based investigations, simply enlarging prior instrument designs quickly leads to a payload mass greatly exceeding the current launch options. By separating an otherwise large instrument into two or more smaller, separate spacecraft flying in precise formation, one can dramatically reduce launch mass - although at the cost of more sophisticated spacecraft systems. This presentation will review the current formation flying state of the art and explore possibilities for future application of this technology to remote sensing investigations of the solar corona
- Publication:
-
40th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014cosp...40E2183M