Cluster science and instrumentation at RAL

The plasma processes being studied at RAL for which the Cluster mission will provide new insight are those that take place at the plasma boundaries formed by the interaction of the solar wind and the magnetic field of the earth. These boundaries are the bow shock, magnetopause, and low-latitude and plasma sheet boundary layers. The major advance that Cluster will make is to enable three-dimensional measurements to be obtained for the first time so that vector quantities and gradients can be determined. Cluster will use a formation of four spacecraft. The Space Plasmas Group at RAL will contribute to construction of the three electron sensors and one of the ion sensors for each of the four spacecraft.