Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere

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Aeronomy of Ice in
the Mesosphere (AIM)
AIM in its clean room
Organization NASA
Mission type Noctilucent cloud observation
Satellite of Earth
Orbits 4155 as of January 29, 2008
Launch date April 25, 2007 at 20:26 UTC
Launch vehicle Pegasus XL
NSSDC ID 2007-015A
Webpage http://aim.hamptonu.edu
Mass 197 kg
Orbital elements
Semimajor axis 6970 km
Eccentricity 0.001
Inclination 97.9°
Orbital period 96 minutes
Apoapsis 600 km
Periapsis 585 km

Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) is a NASA-funded satellite being used to conduct a 26-month study of noctilucent clouds (NLCs). On April 25, 2007 AIM was boosted into a 600 km high polar orbit by a Pegasus-XL rocket, which was air-launched from a Lockheed L-1011 aircraft.[1]

The noctilucent clouds AIM is being used to study, also known as polar mesospheric clouds, occur in the Earth's atmosphere at altitudes of roughly 80 kilometres above the surface, far higher than other clouds. The AIM satellite will help determine what factors – temperature, water vapor, and dust particles – lead to the formation of these clouds. The clouds seem to be a relatively recent phenomenon: they were first seen in 1885, and lately seem to be occurring more frequently.[2]

[edit] Spacecraft and instruments

AIM is 55 inches (1.4m) tall and 43 inches (1.09m) wide and weighs 430 pounds (192 kg). Once in orbit solar arrays will deploy to power the satellite.

AIM carries three instruments: CIPS (Cloud Imaging and Particle Size), CDE (Cosmic Dust Experiment)[1], and SOFIE (Solar Occultation for Ice Experiment).

CIPS has four cameras positioned at different angles. Multiple views of the clouds from different angles will allow a determination of the sizes of the ice particles that make up the cloud. The cameras will also provide panoramic NLC images of the polar cap daily.

CDE can record the amount of space dust that enters the atmosphere from the cosmos. This will allow scientists to determine the role the particles have in NLC formation.

SOFIE uses solar occultation to measure cloud particles, temperature and atmospheric gases involved in forming the clouds. The instrument will reveal the mixture of chemicals that prompt NLC's formation, as well as the environment in which the clouds form.

[edit] References

  1. ^ AIM Mission - Launch. NASA.
  2. ^ Aiming High in the Sky. NASA.

[edit] External links

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