Geomagnetic variations in field tubes crossed by cargo vehicle with operating engine
Abstract
Since 2011, in the framework of the "Radar-Progress" active space experiment, we have studied effects of operating engines of the “Progress” cargo vehicle on the geomagnetic field. We supposed that engine burn can generate geomagnetic disturbances in field tubes crossed by "Progress". These disturbances may be measured at sub-ionospheric magnetoconjugate points where the tubes cross the Earth's surface. Geomagnetic variations measurements are performed as follows. Prior to each experimental session, the cargo vehicle's orbital parameters were used to calculate coordinates of sub-ionospheric magnetoconjugate points. Then we selected a place most suitable for installing the Lemi-30 mobile induction magnetometer. Continuous record of geomagnetic variations starts not less than 2 hours before the cargo vehicle flyby. We used GPS for synchronization with regular measurements performed at all magnetic observatories of Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics. After the cargo vehicle flybys with operating engines, an excitation of geomagnetic oscillations with 25 - 160 s periods was recorded. In some cases, we observed a recurrence of the oscillations 6-15 min later. The analysis of the data was carried out taking account of the planetary and local magnetic activity. The April and June 2013 experiments were conducted under quiet and very quiet geomagnetic conditions for both middle and high latitudes. This allowed us to exclude natural sources of the geomagnetic variations. Results of this study were obtained at unique facilities of the common use centre «Angara». The study was supported by the grant 13-05-00456-a and 13-02-00957-a of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research.
- Publication:
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40th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014cosp...40E2691R