Outer Radiation Belt Injection, Transport, Acceleration and Loss Satellite
The ILWS program was born out of an extension of the pre-existing and approved NASA LWS mission. The highest priority science target for the Geospace element of the NASA LWS mission is the "Dynamics of the Near-Earth Radiation Environment". Specifically, the objectives of this program will be to:
- "Discover Process that accelerate, transport and distribute energetic particles during geomagnetic storms.
- Understand and predict the intensity of outer-zone electrons due to high-speed solar wind streams"
LWS geospace measurements which are targeted towards these objectives are "(1) ions and electrons over a broad range of energies (2) magnetic fields (3) electric fields (4) ULF and VLF waves". LWS identifies that these measurements needed in "Near-equatorial elliptical orbits with multiple, simultaneous measurements at different radii"; "GTO are a likely candidate with excellent partnering possibilities." (see the LWS Science Architecture Team Report to NASA SECAS (Sun-Earth Connections Advisory Committee), August 30 2001).
The ORBITALS will provide the NASA SECAS requested partner satellite mission, the ORBITALS design meeting all of the measurement requirement required to reach science closure on the highest scientific priority for the LWS mission.
