NASA selects DAPHNE to study space weather impacts

NASA has selected the Dynamic Atmosphere-Ionosphere Explorer (DAPHNE) mission concept to study how space weather and dynamics within Earth’s atmosphere shape the near-Earth space environment. The mission aims to improve predictions of impacts on critical technologies such as GPS, low Earth orbit satellites and astronauts.

DAPHNE will enter Phase B, beginning detailed planning and design for flight and operations. Identical twin satellites will make coordinated, multi-point measurements of neutral winds, temperature and composition in the thermosphere, the region where the neutral atmosphere transitions into ionized plasma.

Scientists will use those observations to track how changes in the lower atmosphere influence the upper atmosphere, where space weather is manifested.

daphne, nasa, space weather, thermosphere, ionosphere, neutral winds, satellites, gps, astronauts, multi-point measurements