The Inner Magnetosphere Explorer (IMEX), will study the response of Earth's
Van Allen radiation belts to variations in the solar wind. The energetic
charged particles (mainly protons and electrons) that comprise Earth's
trapped radiation zones are potentially hazardous to both astronauts and
satellite systems. IMEX will be launched into a 217-mile by 21,748-mile
(350-kilometer by 35,000-kilometer) elliptical orbit around Earth with
instruments to measure on a regular basis the populations of energetic
particles and related magnetic and electric fields throughout the radiation
belts.
Data obtained with IMEX during its 10-hour orbital sweeps through the Van
Allen belts should lead to significant improvements in our ability to
predict hazardous conditions in Earth's radiation environment and our
understanding of the underlying physical processes that connect the solar
wind with the state of the Van Allen belts. This will be especially
important during the upcoming maximum in the solar cycle expected in 2001.
The Principal Investigator for IMEX is Dr. John Wygant of the University of
Minnesota in Minneapolis. Drs. Daniel N. Baker and Xinlin Li of the
University of Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
(LASP) have major Co-Investigator roles in IMEX. LASP will have the
responsibility to design, fabricate, test, and operate the IMEX spacecraft.
This complete satellite fabrication/operations role builds on the recent
highly successful Student Nitric Oxide Explorer (SNOE) experience at LASP.
The IMEX experiment, including launch as a secondary payload aboard an Air
Force Titan IV rocket in June 2001, will cost $12.8 million. About half of
that funding will come to CU/LASP to support the spacecraft, science, and
operations roles.
This page created by Christopher Connolly
Last Updated 9 Nov 98