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Ann. Geophys., 19, 601-610, 2001
www.ann-geophys.net/19/601/2001/
© European Geosciences Union 2001
LINDA – the Astrid-2 Langmuir probe instrument
B. Holback1, Å. Jacksén1, L. Åhlén1, S.-E. Jansson1, A. I. Eriksson1, J.-E. Wahlund1, T. Carozzi1, and J. Bergman2
1Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Uppsala Division, Ångström Laboratories, Box 537, SE 751 21 Uppsala, Sweden
2Department of Astronomy and Space Physics, Uppsala University, Ångström Laboratories, Box 515, SE 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
Abstract. The Swedish
micro-satellite Astrid-2, designed for studies in magnetosperic physics, was
launched into orbit on 10 December 1998 from the Russian cosmodrome Plesetsk.
It was injected into a circular orbit at 1000 km and at 83 degrees inclination.
The satellite carried, among other instruments, a double Langmuir Probe
instrument called LINDA (Langmuir INterferometer and Density instrument for
Astrid-2). The scientific goals of this instrument, as well as the technical
design and possible modes of operation, are described. LINDA consists of two
lightweight deployable boom systems, each carrying a small spherical probe.
With these probes, separated by 2.9 meters, and in combination with a high
sampling rate, it was possible to discriminate temporal structures (waves) from
spatial structures. An on-board memory made it possible to collect data also at
times when there was no ground contact. Plasma density and electron temperature
data from all magnetic latitudes and for all seasons have been collected.
Key words. Ionosphere (plasma
temperature and density; plasma waves and instabilities; instruments and
techniques)
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