Journal article
The Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) Mission
Space science reviews, Vol.221(5), 61
06/27/2025
DOI: 10.1007/s11214-025-01184-4
PMCID: PMC12204947
PMID: 40584404
Appears in UI Libraries Support Open Access
Abstract
The overarching science goal of the Tandem Reconnection And Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) mission is to connect the cusp to the magnetosphere by discovering how spatial or temporal variations in magnetic reconnection drive cusp dynamics. This goal will be achieved with a simple mission design comprising two identical small spacecraft in identical low-Earth orbits in a follow-the-leader configuration. TRACERS will make repeated measurements in the cusp for a twelve-month primary mission using plasma and field instruments. These data will be analyzed using established dual-spacecraft techniques and supported by modeling that ensures science closure on the objectives. The TRACERS team leverages hardware collaborations from the University of Iowa, Southwest Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, University of California Berkeley, and Millennium Space Systems. The larger science team consists of experts in reconnection, cusp physics, and modeling. TRACERS is dedicated to its proposer, and original Principal Investigator, Professor Craig Kletzing.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) Mission
- Creators
- D. M. Miles - Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of IowaC. A. Kletzing - University of IowaS. A. Fuselier - The University of Texas at San AntonioK. A. Goodrich - West Virginia UniversityJ. W. Bonnell - Space Sciences LaboratoryS. Bounds - University of IowaH. Cao - University of California, Los AngelesI. H. Cairns - The University of SydneyL. J. Chen - Goddard Space Flight CenterI. W. Christopher - University of IowaK. Cleveland - University of IowaH. K. Connor - Goddard Space Flight CenterD. Crawford - Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of IowaJ. Dolan - Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of IowaJ. C. Dorelli - Goddard Space Flight CenterR. Dvorsky - University of IowaM. G. Finley - Goddard Space Flight CenterR. H. W. Friedel - National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationJ. S. Halekas - Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of IowaG. B. Hospodarsky - University of IowaA. N. Jaynes - University of IowaJ. Labelle - Dartmouth CollegeY. Lin - Auburn UniversityM. Øieroset - Space Sciences LaboratoryS. M. Petrinec - Lockheed MartinM. L. Phillips - Southwest Research InstituteB. Powers - Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of IowaR. Prasad - Millenium Space Systems, A Boeing CompanyA. Rospos - Millenium Space Systems, A Boeing CompanyO. Santolik - Charles UniversityR. J. Strangeway - University of California, Los AngelesK. J. Trattner - University of Colorado BoulderA. Washington - Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Space science reviews, Vol.221(5), 61
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11214-025-01184-4
- PMID
- 40584404
- PMCID
- PMC12204947
- NLM abbreviation
- Space Sci Rev
- ISSN
- 0038-6308
- eISSN
- 1572-9672
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; DORDRECHT
- Grant note
- 80GSFC18C0008 / Goddard Space Flight Center (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100006198)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/27/2025
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy; University College Courses
- Record Identifier
- 9984833490202771
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