Thermospheric densities during an intense magnetic storm, from the LOGACS experiment

An altitude controlled Agena vehicle carrying an extremely sensitive Low-G Accelerometer Calibration System (LOGACS) was launched into a near-polar orbit. An intense magnetic storm coincided with the flight on May 25, 1967. The LOGACS experiment provided values of atmospheric density with a time resolution of 1 s and an estimated accuracy of within 10 per cent. The atmospheric response deduced from the orbital analysis had an inherent delay of about 3 h. It was found that the dayside passes at 1030 LT show the most complete and the most structured parts. Results suggested that in the dayside response energy is injected in an intense storm near the magnetic equator, near the particle precipitation zone, and over the polar caps.