Standard Orbits: January 2001 onwards

A.Fazakerley, 15 March 2001 (to be completed)

Introduction
ASPOC
CIS
EDI
FGM
PEACE
RAPID
WEC

WEC - DWP-Particle_Correlator
WEC - EFW
WEC - STAFF
WEC - WIDEBAND
WEC - WHISPER

Active Instrument Operations
Orbits: 105-109 , 110-119 , 120-129 , 130-139 , 140-149 , 150-159 , 160-169 , 170-179 , 180-189 , 190-199 ,
200-209 , 210-219 , 220-229 , 230-239 , 240-249 , 250-259 , 260-269 , 270-279 , 280-289 , 290-299 ,
300-309 , 310-319 , 320-329 , 330-339 , 340-349 , 350-359 , 360-369 , 370-379 , 380-389 , 390-399 ,
400-409 , 410-419 , 420-429 , 430-439 , 440-449 , 450-459 , 460-469 , 470-479 , 480-489 , 490-499 ,
500-509 , 510-519 , 520-529 , 530-539 , 540-549 , 550-559 , 560-569 , 570-579 , 580-589 , 590-599 ,
600-609 , 610-619 , 620-629 , 630-639 , 640-649 , 650-659 , 660-669 , 670-679 , 680-689 , 690-699

Introduction

This web page describes the Cluster instrument operations on the majority of orbits, the so-called Standard Orbits. As such it complements the Special Orbits web page and the Master Science Plan available from JSOC. Some instrument operations are evolving over time, but each new operations scheme applies for an interval thereafter, in contrast to “one-off” deviations from standard operations which are described under Special Operations.

1. ASPOC

1. Beam Currents

The ion beam current is commandable to a range of levels.
The standard beam current is 10 microAmps on Spacecraft 2 and Spacecraft 4.
The standard beam current is 12 microAmps on Spacecraft 3.
ASPOC is currently considered as non-operational on Spacecraft 1

2. Initial planning for timing of active operations

The guiding principle so far adopted is to turn on at 2 hours outside the predicted magnetopause position travelling inbound, and turn off 2 hours outside the predicted magnetopause position travelling outbound, with the exception of the interval starting 1.75 hours before perigee and ending 1.75 hours after perigee. There have been some exceptions to this rule.

Notably, ASPOC on Spacecraft 3 was not routinely operated until January 31st. On January 17, ASPOC was operated on Spacecraft 3, but not on the other spacecraft.

3. Modifications to planned active operations

EFW have requested a reduced level of ASPOC operations due to an apparent serious interference with the electric field measurements. The issue is under study and being reguarly reviewed (3 monthly intervals). See Active Instrument Operations information below.

An email detailing ASPOC operations up to and including October 2001 may be found here, which will eventually be tidied up and included in this page.

2. CIS

3. EDI

Note that EDI is put into Quiescent whenever there are WBD ops on three or four spacecraft simultaneously, regardless of what the plan calls for.

4. FGM

5. PEACE

6. RAPID

7. WEC

DWP-Correlator

EFW

STAFF

WIDEBAND

The WBD home page is located at:
http://www-pw.physics.uiowa.edu/plasma-wave/istp/cluster/

• 1. WBD Science Data Received to Date
• 2. WBD Operations Periods Scheduled through DSN

WHISPER

Active Instrument Operations

Table of Active Instrument Configurations in the Magnetosphere/Magnetosheath

Table describes:

• (1) Orbit, by Orbit Number and Northern or Southern Hemisphere (an orbit starts at perigee and passes through the northern and then southern hemisphere)

• (2) Data Acquisition Intervals which include time at or within the magnetopause (which excludes some Acquisition Intervals, see Master Science Plan).

• (3) State of ASPOC (for beam currents see above)

• (4) State of EDI (for key see below)

• (5) Comments

ASPOC operations on Spacecraft 1 are suspended.

EDI in state “Low”, operates for 4.5 hours either side of perigee, where the magnetospheric magnetic field is large and EDI beam currents will be low. Used prior to Orbit 122 as far back as Orbit tbc.

EDI in state “Nominal”, operates throughout Acquisition Intervals, with beam currents capped at 40 nA.

EDI in state “High”, operates throughout Acquisition Intervals, with beam currents able to reach the upper cap of 300 nA. Currents will be lower, except in low magnetic fields.

On Spacecraft 3, the beam energy frequently changes from 1 keV to 500 eV and back; the beam current is higher at 500 eV. Before Feb 26, this was done, instead, on Spacecraft 2.

EDI Spacecraft 4 operations are temporarily suspended.

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Last Updated: 05^th July 2004