Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites

Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites
NamesTRACERS
Mission typeHeliophysics
OperatorNASA
Websitetracers.physics.uiowa.edu
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftTRACERS
Spacecraft typeOrbiters (2)
ManufacturerMillennium Space Systems[1]
Start of mission
Launch dateApril 2025 (planned)[2]
RocketFalcon 9 Block 5
ContractorSpaceX
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Polar [3]
Altitude600 km

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Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) is a planned orbiter mission tasked to study the origins of the solar wind and how it affects Earth. TRACERS was proposed by Craig A. Kletzing at the University of Iowa who served as Principal Investigator until his death in 2023.[4] David M. Miles at the University of Iowa was named as Principal Investigator in his stead.[5] The TRACERS mission received US$115 million in funding from NASA.[6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference impact 2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Foust, Jeff (30 September 2023). "NASA selects SpaceX for rideshare launch of smallsat mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  3. ^ Four Berkeley satellites could be exploring Mars and Earth by 2022. By Robert Sanders, Berkeley News, 9 July 2019.
  4. ^ "Renowned Iowa physics professor, researcher Craig Kletzing dies | Physics and Astronomy - The University of Iowa". physics.uiowa.edu. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Miles Named PI of TRACERS Mission | Physics and Astronomy - The University of Iowa". physics.uiowa.edu. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference DailyIowan was invoked but never defined (see the help page).