DATA

Ionospheric Dataset Topside Sounding with Satellite Swarm

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Lunasonde satellite swarm is using low frequency radar (3-30 MHz) is described to characterize the ionospheric topside, a region typically lacking in direct observations. Measurements of the swarm could be integrated into existing space weather nowcast systems like GAMBIT to enhance their performance. Data is simulated using a variety of industry standard models.

The  swarm can conduct both inter-satellite and topside oblique ionospheric sounding using HF frequencies. Observations of the reflected signals off the F layer below the satellites can be used to better understand the F2 layer peak electron density (NmF2) and height (hmF2) over the orbital footprint of each swarm.