Developing countries and remote sensing: how intergovernmental factors impede progress

Developing countries lag significantly behind more advanced nations in the local adoption and application of satellite remote sensing technology. Narrowing this gap through appropriate international cooperation is, however, often constrained by national interests and priorities. The paper presents an overview of several of these inter-governmental constraints using as its main basis the outcomes of recent regional and international conferences hosted by the United Nations. Future enhancement of international cooperation in remote sensing will occur best within settings where both developing and technologically advanced countries are sensitive and responsive to each other's concerns.     

Summary of quantitative interpretation of IMAGE far ultraviolet auroral data

Direct imaging of the magnetosphere by instruments on the IMAGE spacecraft is supplemented by simultaneous observations of the global aurora in three far ultraviolet (FUV) wavelength bands. The purpose of the multi-wavelength imaging is to study the global auroral particle and energy input from the magnetosphere into the atmosphere. This paper describes the method for quantitative interpretation of FUV measurements. The Wide-Band Imaging Camera (WIC) provides broad band ultraviolet images of the aurora with maximum spatial resolution by imaging the nitrogen lines and bands between 140 and 180 nm wavelength. The Spectrographic Imager (SI), a dual wavelength monochromatic instrument, images both Doppler-shifted Lyman-α emissions produced by precipitating protons, in the SI-12 channel and OI 135.6 nm emissions in the SI-13 channel. From the SI-12 Doppler shifted Lyman-α images it is possible to obtain the precipitating proton flux provided assumptions are made regarding the mean energy of the protons. Knowledge of the proton (flux and energy) component allows the calculation of the contribution produced by protons in the WIC and SI-13 instruments. Comparison of the corrected WIC and SI-13 signals provides a measure of the electron mean energy, which can then be used to determine the electron energy flux. To accomplish this, reliable emission modeling and instrument calibrations are required. In-flight calibration using early-type stars was used to validate the pre-flight laboratory calibrations and determine long-term trends in sensitivity. In general, very reasonable agreement is found between in-situ measurements and remote quantitative determinations.     

Grid-Adaptive Computations of Magnetized Jets

We present grid-adaptive numerical simulations of magnetized plasma jets, modeled by means of the compressible magnetohydrodynamic equations. The Adaptive Mesh Refinement strategy makes it possible to investigate long-term jet dynamics where both large-scale and small-scale effects are at play. We extend recent findings for uniformly magnetized, periodic shear layers to planar and fully 3D extended jet segments. The jet lengths cover multiple, typically 10, axial wavelengths of the fastest growing Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) like modes. The dominant linear MHD instabilities of the jet flows are quantified by means of MHD spectroscopic analysis. In cases characterized by sonic Mach numbers about unity and large plasma beta values, both single and double shear layers (planar jets) manifest self-organizing trends to large scales, e.g. by continuous pairing/merging between co-rotating vortices, simultaneously with the introduction of small-scale features by magnetic reconnection events. The vortices form as a result of KH unstable shear-flow layers, and their coalescence arises from the growth of subharmonic modes at multiple wavelengths of the fastest growing KH instability. In extended two-dimensional jet segments, we investigate how varying jet width alters this coalescence process occurring at both edges, e.g. by introducing Batchelor-like coupling between counter-rotating vortices formed at opposing weakly magnetized, close shear layers. Finally, periodic segments of supersonic magnetized jets are simulated in two- and three-dimensional cases, which are characterized by violent shock-dominated transients.     

Baryonic Matter and Dark Energy

Estimates of the baryonic density of the universe can be obtained applicable to different epochs of the cosmic history. Ancient values are in satisfactory agreement with each others. However, there seems to be a deficit in the contemporary universe. One aim of this meeting was an exploration of the various sites where these baryons could possibly hide. In the second part of this talk, the status of the recently discovered `dark energy' and its possible influence in the far future of the universe are briefly discussed.     

Global Imaging of Proton and Electron Aurorae in the far Ultraviolet

The IMAGE spacecraft carries three FUV photon imagers, the Wideband Imaging Camera (WIC) and two channels, SI-12 and SI-13, of the Spectrographic Imager. These provide simultaneous global images, which can be interpreted in terms of the precipitating particle types (protons and electrons) and their energies. IMAGE FUV is the first space-borne global imager that can provide instantaneous global images of the proton precipitation. At times a bright auroral spot, rich in proton precipitation, is observed on the dayside, several degrees poleward of the auroral zone. The spot was identified as the footprint of the merging region of the cusp that is located on lobe field lines when IMF B_z was northward. This identification was based on compelling statistical evidence showing that the appearance and location of the spot is consistent with the IMF B_z and B_y directions. The intensity of the spot is well correlated with the solar wind dynamic pressure and it was found that the direct entry of solar wind particles could account for the intensity of the observed spot without the need for any additional acceleration. Another discovery was the observation of dayside sub-auroral proton arcs. These arcs were observed in the midday to afternoon MLT sector. Conjugate satellite observations showed that these arcs were generated by pure proton precipitation. Nightside auroras and their relationship to substorm phases were studied through single case studies and in a superimposed epoch analysis. It was found that generally there is substantial proton precipitation prior to substorms and the proton intensity only doubles at substorm onset while the electron auroral brightness increases on average by a factor of 5 and sometimes by as much as a factor of 10. Substorm onset occurs in the central region of the pre-existing proton precipitation. Assuming that nightside protons are precipitating from a quasi-stable ring current at its outer regions where the field lines are distorted by neutral sheet currents we can associate the onset location with this region of closed but distorted field lines relatively close to the earth. Our results also show that protons are present in the initial poleward substorm expansion however later they are over taken by the electrons. We also find that the intensity of the substorms as quantified by the intensity of the post onset electron precipitation is correlated with the intensity of the proton precipitation prior to the substorms, highlighting the role of the pre-existing near earth plasma in the production of the next substorm.     

Insurance strategies for covering risks in outer space: a French perspective

With the growth of commercial activities in outer space, insurers have found an emerging new market. Insurance policy for space satellites has been built chiefly in France and the USA and underwent various crises in the 1980s and 1990s. While the main risks have been more or less identified, their occurrence has shifted from the launch phase to the orbital period over the past few years. At the same time, the duration of insurance policies has been extended up to five years in certain cases, with an adverse effect on profits. The dual-use nature of most spacecraft also makes it difficult to obtain data necessary for the precise identification of risk. An analysis of the space insurance market and its contractual regime is presented, with the aim of identifying emerging trends, and the means by which insurers can develop this still immature sector without compromising their profits.     

The Cluster Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Field Fluctuations (STAFF) Experiment

The Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Field Fluctuations (STAFF) experiment is one of five experiments which together comprise the Wave Experiment Consortium (WEC). STAFF consists of a three-axis search coil magnetometer to measure magnetic fluctuations at frequencies up to 4 kHz, and a spectrum analyser to calculate in near-real time aboard the spacecraft, the complete auto- and cross-spectral matrices using the three magnetic and two electric components of the electromagnetic field. The magnetic waveform at frequencies below either 10 Hz or 180 Hz is also transmitted. The sensitivity of the search coil is adapted to the phenomena theo be studied: the values 3 × 10^-3 nT Hz^-1/2 and 3 × 10^-5 nT Hz^-1/2 are achieved respectively at 1 Hz and 100 Hz. The dynamic range of the STAFF instruments is about 96 dB in both waveform and spectral power, so as to allow the study of waves near plasma boundaries. Scientific objectives of the STAFF investigations, particularly those requiring four point measurements, are discussed. Methods by which the wave data will be characterised are described with emphasis on those specific to four-point measurements, including the use of the Field Energy Distribution function.     

Remote sensing of Earth resources: emerging opportunities for developing countries

Land information from remote sensing satellites contributes substantially to the quality of decision making in development activities. However, participation in space-related activities by developing countries has historically been low in part due to the high costs and advanced technology inputs required. The paper discusses several technological and socio-political trends which now offer increasingly affordable opportunities for developing countries to increase their level of participation in activities related to satellite remote sensing of earth resources. Benefiting from these opportunities requires appropriate encouragement and support from national governments.