MSU Space Project «Lomonosov»

MSU Space Project «Lomonosov» Participants of the experiment (preliminary list): M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University D.V. Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics Department of Mechanics and Mathematics P.K. Shternberg State Institute of Astronomy Department of Physics EWHA Womans University, Seoul, Korea National University, Puebla, Mexico

MSU Space Project «Lomonosov» 1.Observation of ultra-high energy cosmic rays Search for sources and acceleration mechanisms Scientific missions

Atmosphere The Earth's surface TUS field of vision UV-collector Satellite Secondary electrons Primary particle ~10* *20 эВ Fluorescent emission Cherenkov emission N max «Lomonosov»

Experimental facility TUS on-board «Lomonosov» Total mirror area – 1,68 m 2 Altitude H=550km Covered surface – 5000 km 2 Active life period – 5 years Lower energy limit eV

MSU Space Project «Lomonosov» 2. Studies of transient phenomena in the Earth's upper atmosphere Generation mechanisms? Location in the atmosphere? Scientific missions

Transient phenomena in the upper atmosphere are observed within the wide range of electromagnetic wavelengths Figure illustrates an event of «sprite»-type — with the largest energy output. TLE is accompanied by flux of relativistic electrons and gammas with energy 1 – 10 MeV and probably by neutrons Up to 10*11 Joule per impulse!

MSU Space Project «Lomonosov» 2. Studies of transient phenomena in the Earth's upper atmosphere Scientific missions TUS facility will be used for transients’ studies within UV-range

MSU Space Project «Lomonosov» 3. Simultaneous studies of gamma-bursts by means of optic cameras and gamma-detectors Sources’ location in the Universe? Energetic parameters? Scientific missions Relativistic jet Black hole Accretive disc

MSU Space Project «Lomonosov» 3. Simultaneous studies of gamma-bursts by means of optic cameras and gamma-detectors Space robotic optic cameras with ultra-wide field of view are designed for registration of burst and fast-moving phenomena (gamma-bursts, satellites and space debris) Three cameras lenses 48 mm diameter, three 12-megapixel large-format CCD cameras size 24x36 mm (located in the focal plate of the objective) will be used.

An example of satellites' observations by means of camera MASTER VWF

MSU Space Project «Lomonosov» 3. Simultaneous studies of gamma-bursts by means of optic camers and gamma-detectors Gamma-detectors (energy range MeV) for gamma-bursts' registration Three identic gamma-detectors onboard satellite with 90 0 between axes.

Scientific equipment — gamma-detectors and MASTER VWF  Composition of scientific equipment: Three identic gamma-detectors with 90 0 between axes; 48 mm diameter camera lenses (3 pcs.) Large-format CCD camera 12 megapixel (3 pcs.), 24x36 mm size; located on the focal plate of the objective Electronics block for collection and storage of data from gamma-detectors and optic cameras, and for communication of these devices and onboard satellite systems.

Scientific equipment — gamma- detectors and MASTER VWF  Mass and energy characteristics: Total mass of three gamma-detectors — up to 18 kg, of three optic cameras — up to 10 kg, mass of electronics block — up to 4 kg. Power supply (voltage V): gamma-detectors — 15 W, optic cameras in operation mode — 8 W (during orbital eclipse period), in stand-by mode — 15 W (during orbital sunlit period), electronics block — 10 W.

THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SPACECRAFT Launcher vehicleRokot Orbit — sun synchronous, altitude, km 550 km Ascending node time, hour11 Platform mass, kgNot more than 250 Payload mass (TUS telescope, etc.), kgUp to 110 Spacecraft mass, kg (with potential additional payload), kg Up to 400 Platform power consumption averaged during the orbit pass, W Up to 200 Spacecraft power consumption averaged during the orbit pass, W: 300 Scientific information traffic, MByte/dayNot more than 60

OVERALL VIEW OF THE SPACECRAFT «LOMONOSOV» Standardized space platform TUS facility

SC MVL-300 Separation subsystem «Rokot» LV PLF OVERALL VIEW OF THE SPACECRAFT UNDER THE PAYLOAD FAIRING OF THE LAUNCHER VEHICLE «ROKOT» It is proposed to launch the spacecraft «Lomonosov» from Plesetsk launch site by launcher vehicle «Rokot»

Available reserve used for the development of the spacecraft «Lomonosov» It is proposed to use available reserve in space platform «Kanopus-V» - a basis for spacecraft «Kanopus-V» and Belorussian spacecraft (BSC) for the development of the spacecraft «Lomonosov». Launching of «Kanopus-V» and BSC is planned in April 2010.

Space Project «Lomonosov» Practical importance For the first time a mirror-concentrator 2 m 2 in area with a matrix of UV- detectors in its focus is launched to the orbit. This «camera» provides an opportunity for separation and observation of the evolution of UV-bursts with by a factor of 10 4 lower brightness than it's carried currently by means of video-cameras (with up 2 cm 2 inlet area). Observation of the bursts by means of state-of-the-art video-cameras has discovered specific type of electric discharges originated between the clouds and the ionosphere which concentrate huge energy (up to hundreds of Gigajoules). This energy is released as electromagnetic radiation at different frequencies from radio up to gamma. Presence of gamma-radiation with energy of about 1-10 MeV proves that in such discharges electrons are accelerated up to the same energy, which is unusual for «ordinary» gas discharge. At the altitude of km powerful flux of high-energy electrons produce great radiation danger and therefore studies of the «new» type discharges' nature are necessary for understanding of the real danger of flights under the conditions of the increased probability of the discharges between the clouds and the ionosphere.

Space Project «Lomonosov» There is also another reason for interest to the phenomenon of powerful discharges between the clouds and the ionosphere. By its brightness and radiation composition (including high-energy electrons) such discharges have much in common with atmospheric effects of atomic explosion. At the moment there is no fully reasonable theory of new type discharges. For its development it is necessary to study discharge processes not only at its maximum phase, but also at its initial phase when intensity of all types of radiation is still weak. Scientific equipment of «Lomonosov» project will provide information about the primary phase of the discharge due to very high light ratio of the facility. Research progress will considerably depend on the equipment complex efficient for observations of both initial and the most energetic (bright) phases of the discharge. It is provided to mount additional devices for the studies of the bright phase of the discharge.

Space Project «Lomonosov» It's also important to accompany orbital observations with measurements of radio-signals from the discharge by means of International network of ground stations, which determine discharge's location by triangulation method and measure radio-impulse shape. Launch of the satellite «Lomonosov» surely will contribute greatly to the development of human knowledge in one of the most important fields of physics whose studies were started by M.V. Lomonosov (studies of lightnings nature).

Space Project «Lomonosov» MSU space project «Lomonosov» is open for participation of all interested Universities and scientific organizations. for proposals: