The Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) Mission Design

S. M. Petrinec; C. A. Kletzing; D. M. Miles; S. A. Fuselier; I. W. Christopher; D. Crawford; S. Omar; S. R. Bounds; J. W. Bonnell; J. S. Halekas; G. B. Hospodarsky; R. J. Strangeway; Y. Lin; K. J. Trattner; J. W. Labelle; M. Øieroset; O. Santolik; J. Moen; K Oksavik; T. K. Yeoman; I. H. Cairns; D. Mark

doi:10.1007/s11214-025-01185-3

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The Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) Mission Design

Journal article

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The Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) Mission Design

S. M. Petrinec, C. A. Kletzing, D. M. Miles, S. A. Fuselier, I. W. Christopher, D. Crawford, S. Omar, S. R. Bounds, J. W. Bonnell, J. S. Halekas, …

Space science reviews, Vol.221(5), 60

08/2025

DOI: 10.1007/s11214-025-01185-3

PMCID: PMC12204924

PMID: 40584405

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Abstract

The detailed study of the global characteristics of collisionless magnetic reconnection that occurs at the magnetopause will be greatly enhanced by observations of plasma fluxes and fields within the low-altitude cusp region, as sampled by two spacecraft orbiting in tandem. The NASA Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) mission, a Heliophysics Small Explorer (SMEX) mission, will provide the necessary observations to enable significant progress to be made on understanding magnetic reconnection, especially in terms of its temporal versus spatial characteristics. This paper provides an overview of the TRACERS mission design and the trade studies conducted for the optimization of this design.

Physics

Planetology

Aerospace Technology and Astronautics

Article

Astrophysics and Astroparticles

Physics and Astronomy

Space Exploration and Astronautics

Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics

Details

Title: Subtitle: The Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) Mission Design
Creators: S. M. Petrinec - Lockheed Martin
C. A. Kletzing - University of Iowa
D. M. Miles - University of Iowa
S. A. Fuselier - The University of Texas at San Antonio
I. W. Christopher - University of Iowa
D. Crawford - Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa
S. Omar - Millennium Space Systems, A Boeing Company
S. R. Bounds - University of Iowa
J. W. Bonnell - University of California, Berkeley
J. S. Halekas - University of Iowa
G. B. Hospodarsky - University of Iowa
R. J. Strangeway - University of California, Los Angeles
Y. Lin - Auburn University
K. J. Trattner - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
J. W. Labelle - Dartmouth College
M. Øieroset - University of California, Berkeley
O. Santolik - Charles University
J. Moen - University Centre in Svalbard
K Oksavik - University of Bergen
T. K. Yeoman - University of Leicester
I. H. Cairns - The University of Sydney
D. Mark - Bison Aerospace, Inc
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Space science reviews, Vol.221(5), 60
DOI: 10.1007/s11214-025-01185-3
PMID: 40584405
PMCID: PMC12204924
NLM abbreviation: Space Sci Rev
ISSN: 0038-6308
eISSN: 1572-9672
Publisher: Springer Netherlands; DORDRECHT
Grant note: 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008; 80GSFC18C0008 / Goddard Space Flight Center (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100006198) 1001942526 / University of Iowa (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100008893)
Language: English
Date published: 08/2025
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984833489402771

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