ABSTRACT:

The Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) investigation will use neutral atom, ultraviolet, and radio imaging techniques to (1) identify the method of entry of solar wind plasma into the magnetosphere; (2) determine the extent and location of ionospheric plasma sources; (3) discover how and where energetic plasmas are accelerated, transported, and lost during substorms and magnetic storms; (4) determine the direct effects of solar wind forcing on the magnetosphere; and (5) measure CME-related neutral atom fluxes and radio emissions as forecasting tools for geomagnetic storms. The IMAGE instrument package consists of low-, medium-, and high-energy neutral atom imagers, extreme ultraviolet and far ultraviolet imagers, and a radio plasma imager.

The IMAGE spacecraft will be placed into a 500 km x 7 RE altitude orbit with an inclination of 90deg.. The spacecraft will be provided by GSFC. It is based on the FAST design and uses off-the-shelf components. The GSFC/Resource Analysis Office estimate for the instruments is $32.2 M (without contingency). The IMAGE mission represents a very low risk MIDEX with very high scientific payoff. It complies with all MIDEX requirements for spacecraft resources (mass, power, and data rate), mission schedule, mission costs and contingencies.

TOTAL MO&DA BUDGET: $14.93 M
TOTAL BUDGET AMOUNT (EXCLUDING MO&DA)*
$31.46 M (10-mo. def.) (w/o contingency)
$31.86 M (22-mo. def.) (w/o contingency)
*foreign contribution of $1.84 M not included in these amounts

Table of Contents for the STEP 1 Science Proposal

• 1.0 Science Investigation and Investigation Plan
  • 1.1 Summary
  • 1.2 Objectives and Significant Aspects
  • 1.3 Approach
• 2.0 Technical Approach
  • 2.1 Instrumentation
  • 2.2 Spacecraft Requirements
  • 2.3 IMAGE Spacecraft
  • 2.4 Mission Operations Concept and Requirements
• 3.0 Data Reduction and Analysis
  • 3.1 Science Data Flow
  • 3.2 Data Products
• 4.0 Management
  • 4.1 Management Approach
  • 4.2 IMAGE Schedule and Scheduling System
• 5.0 Cost
• 6.0 References

Table of Contents for the STEP 2 Technical Proposal

• 1. Science Investigation and Investigation Plan
• 2. Technical Approach
  • 2.a Mission Design
  • 2.b Instrumentation
  • 2.c IMAGE Spacecraft
  • 2.d Manufacturing, Integration and Test
  • 2.e Mission Operations and Ground Data Systems
  • 2.f Performance Assurance (PA)
  • 2.g New Technology and Technology Transfer
• 3.0 Data Reduction and Analysis Plan
• Appendix A - References
• Appendix B - List of Acronyms

POETRY section of the STEP 2 Management Proposal

• 6. IMAGE Public Outreach, Education, Teaching, Reaching Youth (POETRY)

June 5, 1998