Fact Sheet

HICO and RAIDS Experiment Payload - Remote Atmospheric and Ionospheric Detection System (RAIDS) (HREP-RAIDS)
11.20.09

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Experiment/Payload Overview

Brief Summary

The HICO and RAIDS Experiment Payload - Remote Atmospheric and Ionospheric Detection System (HREP-RAIDS) experiment will provide atmospheric scientists with a complete description of the major constituents of the thermosphere (layer of the Earth?s atmosphere) and ionosphere (uppermost layer of the Earth?s atmosphere), global electron density profiles at altitudes between 100 - 350 kilometers.

Principal Investigator

  • Scott Budzien, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C.
  • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

    Information Pending

    Payload Developer

    Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC
    The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA
    United States Department of Defense Space Test Program, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

    Sponsoring Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Expeditions Assigned

    |19|20|21|22|23|24|

    Previous ISS Missions

    HREP-RAIDS is a unique investigation that has not been performed on spacecraft before.

    ^ back to top



    Experiment/Payload Description

    Research Summary

    • The HICO and RAIDS Experiment Payload - Remote Atmospheric and Ionospheric Detection System (HREP-RAIDS) combines two experiment sensors into one payload.


    • HREP-RAIDS is an ultraviolet (UV) and visible remote sensing instrument that measures limb profiles of electron density and neutral density to improve ionospheric (upper part of the atmosphere) and satellite drag models.

    Description

    The Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) and Remote Atmospheric and Ionospheric Detection System (RAIDS) Experiment Payload (HREP) consists of two instruments. The HREP-RAIDS is a satellite experiment designed to perform a comprehensive study of upper atmospheric airglow emissions. HREP-RAIDS observations will be used to develop and test techniques for remote sensing of the neutral atmosphere and ionosphere on a global scale. HREP-RAIDS is an array of eight limb-scanning optical instruments covering the wavelength region 550 - 8700 Angstroms. The experiment scans or images the limb of the Earth to measure profiles of airglow from major ionospheric and neutral atmospheric species in the upper atmosphere. HREP-RAIDS measurements will be used to determine the composition and temperature of the thermosphere and ionosphere. HREP-RAIDS will test new techniques for ionospheric and neutral atmospheric remote sensing, and look for signs of global change. HREP-RAIDS will be the most comprehensive survey of the ionosphere and thermosphere in over 20 years.

    ^ back to top



    Applications

    Space Applications

    HREP-RAIDS will test new techniques for ionospheric and neutral atmospheric remote sensing and study atmospheric temperature, composition, and chemistry.

    Earth Applications

    HREP-RAIDS will be the most comprehensive survey of the ionosphere and thermosphere in over 20 years. Data from this investigation will improve knowledge of Earth?s atmosphere.

    ^ back to top



    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    HREP-RAIDS is mounted to the ISS exterior on JEM-EF at position number six. It requires power provided by the International Space Station, and uses the ISS for commanding and data downlink. All interaction will be via the POIC and no crew interaction is planned other than installation and removal via extravehicular robotics (EVR).

    Operational Protocols

    HREP-RAIDS will be launched to the ISS as a part of the HTV-1 mission. EVR will mount HREP to the JEM-EF and remove it for disposal on a later HTV flight.

    ^ back to top



    Results/More Information

    Information Pending

    ^ back to top



    Related Web Sites

    ^ back to top



    Publications

    Results Publications

      ^ back to top



      Related Publications

        ^ back to top



        Images

        imageUnlatched HREP-RAIDS configuration fully rotated (on-orbit the instrument is rotated 180 degrees). Image courtesy of the Naval Research Laboratory.
        + View Larger Image


        Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office