Rocket Investigations of Upper Atmospheric Electrical and Neutral Processes

(Faculty Mentor: J. Mitchell)

 

Instrumentation for investigating the electrical and neutral properties of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (65-95 km) are being developed for flight on sub-orbital rockets. This atmospheric region is too high for access by airplane and balloon and too low for satellite, and thus a sounding rocket is the ideal platform on which to conduct in situ measurement investigations. Present projects focus on thunderstorm-related electrification and neutral dynamic processes at mid-latitudes and various particulate-associated phenomena (e.g., noctilucent cloud and polar mesosphere summer echo regions) at high latitudes. The research expertise required for these investigations involves the instrumentation design of probes for measuring different electrical properties of the atmosphere such as the polar components of conductivity, and their associated ion mobility and number density values. Computational modeling of the different probes’ flow and electric field geometries is necessary for design improvement and refinement of the data analysis. Also, software development for processing and analyzing the data and related scientific investigations involving the measurement results are important parts of this research effort. An undergraduate research experience involving one or more aspects of this research would be possible in a summer time period.

 

In addition, an undergrad. student launch project called “SPIRIT” (Student Projects Involving Rocket Investigation Techniques) is underway to measure the neutral dynamics, specifically the wind field, of the mesosphere. This particular activity involves considerable instrumentation development and design, as well as the computational modeling of different parts of the payload. A summer res. experience on this project would typically involve a design effort relating to one of the proposed instruments. An opportunity for extended res. collaboration following the summer period should be possible on a number of these projects.