Low Earth Orbit determination in small satellite mission proposal for corona observation of close solar surface region

0572755 - ÚPT 2024 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Bartoněk, J. - Lazar, V. - Malaník, P. - Rydlo, Š. - Láznička, Tomáš - Popela, R. - Druckmüller, M.
Low Earth Orbit determination in small satellite mission proposal for corona observation of close solar surface region.
Acta Astronautica. Roč. 203, February (2023), s. 202-213. ISSN 0094-5765. E-ISSN 1879-2030
Institutional support: RVO:68081731
Keywords : Eclipses * Space mission * CubeSat * Orbital mechanics * Sun: corona
OECD category: Aerospace engineering
Impact factor: 3.5, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0094576522006592

A space-based observation of the solar corona is currently done in multiple wavelengths including visible, extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) and x-ray. White light coronagraph observations are restricted to regions beyond 1 RꙨ above the solar surface, while EUV remains blind above 0.25 RꙨ. White light corona images close to the solar surface limb may be documented during terrestrial total eclipse observations. These occur once in one to two years and are burdened with light scattering background caused by Earth's atmosphere. In this document, we propose a space-based small satellite mission which would have the advantage of performing white light corona observations under 2 RꙨ. The observation is done from Low Earth Orbit, utilizing the lunar limb to occult the solar disc during the artificial orbit-determined total eclipse. We present a list of the potential observation orbits, each with a single, yet unique observation opportunity. We extend the concurrent terrestrial options by finding extra space-based total eclipses. Observation requirements show that such a challenging mission would be achievable with the relatively affordable 6U CubeSat spacecraft.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0343333