The Swarm D NanoMagSat project Latest News G. Hulot1, J.-M. Léger2 1Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris Diderot - CNRS, France 2CEA-Léti, MINATEC, Grenoble, France 6th Swarm Data Quality Workshop, 26-29/09/2016, University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Goals of the Swarm D NanoMagSat project Build a nanosatellite (NanoMagSat) for absolute magnetometry by taking advantage of the fact that: The ASM on board Swarm have proven their ability to deliver science class vector mode and burst mode data ASMs (and other instruments) can be made smaller with improved accuracy Use this nanosatellite to improve the Swarm constellation: addition of a D satellite Lead the path to the extension of the INTERMAGNET network to space with cheap nanosatellites (~10 M€ needed to develop NanoMagSat, possibly as little as 2-3 M€ for building recurrent models)

ASM-V core field at core surface Br component at core surface Comparison between ASM-V and VFM core field (n=1-13) models at central epoch (22/04/2014) reveals the impact of the disagreement in the information provided by the ASM-V and early L1b nominal data.

VFM core field at core surface Br component at core surface Comparison between ASM-V and VFM core field (n=1-13) models at central epoch (22/04/2014) reveals the impact of the disagreement in the information provided by the ASM-V and early L1b nominal data.

ASM-V lithospheric field at Earth’s surface Br component at Earth’s surface Comparison between ASM-V and VFM lithospheric field (n=15-45) reveals the impact of the disagreement in the information provided by the ASM-V and early L1b nominal data.

VFM lithospheric field at Earth’s surface Br component at Earth’s surface Comparison between ASM-V and VFM lithospheric field (n=15-45) reveals the impact of the disagreement in the information provided by the ASM-V and early L1b nominal data.

Example of plasma bubble type of signals detected with the ASM burst mode

Example of low frequency “whistler” type of signals detected with the ASM burst mode

Progress on the ASM instrument The instrument is currently being miniaturized (Rutkowski et al., Sensors Actuators, 2014). Issues identified on Swarm (see Léger et al., EPS, 2015; Fratter et al. AA, 2016) are currently being solved. The instrument could be run in a permanent dual mode so as to simultaneously provide 1Hz scalar + vector data AND 250 Hz scalar data, with improved performance.

NanoMagSat 12U Cubesat (20cmx20cmx30cm) with a 2m boom for the magnetometry payload Miniaturised ASM magnetometer in dual vector/burst mode, with two star cameras. Possibility of miniaturized VFM or search coils (possibly based on Tunnel Magneto Resistance, TMR) to also measure high frequency vector field fluctuations (up to 500 Hz or further) Langmuir Probes (Te, Ne) Dual frequency GPS (TEC) Little attitude control: gravitationally stabilized (requirement: spin < 40°/mn swing < 30°/mn to keep bias below 0.2nT) No propulsion

Making the science return of Swarm even better by adding just one satellite Swarm has already been proven to be a great success, thanks, in particular, to its constellation/gradient design There are weaknesses, however, in the Swarm constellation: - Local time separation could still be improved - Orbits only cross each other at the poles

Local time separation of Swarm satellites End of April 2014 3 hrs: April 2016 6 hrs: April 2018 It will take almost another three years to reach 6 hrs local time separation, and only four different local times would then be sampled.

Time needed to cover all local times It currently takes roughly four months for the Swarm constellation to cover all local times. This will decrease to two months when full separation of Alpha/Charlie with respect to Bravo will be reached (April 2018) This is very nice, but could still be improved

A NanoMagSat satellite on an orbit at (say) 60° inclination would provide the missing local times fast One day of local time and geographic coverage

A NanoMagSat satellite on an orbit at (say) 60° inclination would provide the missing local times fast Geographic coverage after 36 days (1 point every 100 s)

A NanoMagSat satellite on an orbit at (say) 60° inclination would provide the missing local times fast Combined Days 1, 9, 18 and 27 of local time and geographic coverage

A NanoMagSat satellite on an orbit at (say) 60° inclination would also provide crossing orbits (tie points) Combined Days 1, 9, 18 and 27 of local time and geographic coverage

Benefits NanoMagSat on such an orbit would bring for investigation of magnetic field sources Higher temporal resolution for ionospheric Sq field models (down to one month) Improved reconstruction of fast changes (sub-annual) of the core field The lithospheric field could also be improved, also thanks to the 60° crossing of the orbits (providing tie points) But also: Improved understanding of local ionospheric currents Improved spatial description of the magnetospheric field Improved input for investigations of the electrical conductivity of the Deep Earth

Aiming at a launch before 2021 Swarm’s constellation is complete up to 2022, at least Higher Bravo satellite could stay even longer in orbit, likely well beyond 2024

Next steps Extension of the NanoMagSat Phase 0 study within CNES has just been approved Run a set of complete end-to-end simulations with the help of the Swarm science community (and assistance from CNES and ESA) Present the mission to the next level within CNES (Fall 2017 ?) Start considering moving towards an “InterMagSat” network of orbiting magnetic observatories (space extension of the “Intermagnet” network of ground magnetic observatories)

Space magnetometry and nanosatellites, important technical facts 1 Hz (or higher frequency) magnetometry does not need severe orbit or attitude control, this translates into: -> no intrinsic need for thrusters -> only a recovery mode is needed for attitude control, which would rarely be used Only needs accurate: -> orbit knowledge -> time control -> attitude reconstruction