Marek Morawski

CHOMIK: a multi-method approach for studying Phobos

CHOMIK is the name of a penetrator constructed for sampling and retrieval of Phobos surface material. It formed an integral part of the Phobos Sample Return Mission. In this paper we present its construction and intended mode of operation, since the concept is still viable for future missions either to Phobos or to other small bodies of similar dimensions. We take Phobos as an example to describe the science case for such an instrument and how it might be utilized to resolve important open issues regarding the origin of the Martian moons. Concerning the latter, we place emphasis on measurement techniques and analysis tools for mapping trace element concentrations in returned sample.

New advanced radio tools for monitoring and diagnostics near Earth plasma environment

To give a more detailed and complete understanding of physical plasma processes that govern the solar terrestrial space, and to develop qualitative and quantitative models of the magnetosphere ionosphere thermosphere coupling, it is necessary to design and build the next generation of instruments for space diagnostics and monitoring. Novel ground based wide area sensor networks, such as the LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) radar facility, comprising wide band, and vector sensing radio receivers and multi-spacecraft plasma diagnostics should help solve outstanding problems of space physics and describe long-term environmental changes. The LOw Frequency ARray LOFAR is a new fully digital radio telescope designed for frequencies between 30 MHz and 240 MHz located in Europe. The three new LOFAR stations will be installed until summer 2015 in Poland. The LOFAR facilities in Poland will be distributed among three sites: Lazy (East of Krakow), Borowiec near Poznan and Baldy near Olsztyn. All they will be connected via PIONIER dedicated links to Poznan. Each site will host one LOFAR station (96 high band 96 low band antennas). They will most time work as a part of European network, however, when less charged, they can operate as a national network The new digital radio frequency analyzer (RFA) on board the low orbiting RELEC satellite was designed to monitor and investigate the ionospheric plasma properties. This two-point ground-based and topside ionosphere located space plasma diagnostic can be a useful new tool for monitoring and diagnosing turbulent plasma properties. The RFA on board the RELEC satellite is the first in a series of experiments which is planned to be launched into the near Earth environment. In order to improve and validate the large scales and small scales ionospheric structures we will used the GPS observations collected at IGS/EPN network employed to reconstruct diurnal variations of TEC using all satellite passes over individual GPS stations and the data retrieved from FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC radio occultation measurements. The main purpose of this presentation is to describe new advanced diagnostic techniques of the near Earth space plasma and point out the scientific challenges of the radio frequency analyser located on board of low orbiting satellites and LOFAR facilities.

Design of the New Pi of the Sky Robotic Telescope Controlled via Internet

The article describes a final design of the new 2 dof robotic telescope on the parallactic mount, controlled via internet. The robot will be applied in the “Pi of the Sky” camera positioning system with capability to use four cameras with 20 cm objectives and total load of up to 150 kg. The system will be employed in astrophysical observations to discover the strong electromagnetic radiation originating from violent cosmological phenomena and presumably associated with sources of gravitational waves. Therefore, direct observations performed with high time resolution by dedicated robotic telescope play a key role. Short time of reaction combined with very high accuracy and smooth tracking generates rigorous challenges for the design solutions. Selected types of harmonic drive and stepper motor, with use of feedback from an ultrahigh resolution optical encoder fixed directly to the output axes, enable any celestial object to be located and tracked for hours with arc second accuracy. To increase the observation capability, two modes (DEEP and WIDE) changing cameras field of view required a special mechanism. Moreover, to improve the maintenance of the telescope, two precision calibration mechanisms for the right ascension and declination angles were designed.

TwinCube—Preliminary Study of a Tether Experiment for CubeSat Mission

The article covers a preliminary research on a Tethered Satellite System based on a 3U CubeSat pico-satellite standard, which main purpose is to perform two-point diagnostic measurements of electromagnetic emissions in near-Earth plasma. Multi-point measurements play a significant role in understanding energy flows driven by Sun as well as terrestrial activity. Since CubeSats are expected to be low-cost and robust, development of a small and efficient plasma diagnostic tool for hardware-restrained CubeSat platform might be important also for future space cluster missions. We propose a TwinCube mission consisting of two sub-satellites that will be preliminarily bonded with lock-and-release mechanisms. During in-orbit operations the mechanism will be released allowing for unwinding of the non-conductive tether and for separating two sub-satellites for up to 1 km. This action is crucial for the mission success and is considered as one of the important technological aspects of the project. Objectives and justification of the mission are outlined in the article, together with basic mission scenario, simulations confirming feasibility of the idea and discussion on assumptions for the mechanical design.

Juice -ESA mission to Jupiter and the Polish contribution

The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) will perform advanced investigations of Jupiter and its system in order to understand their inter-relations and complexity. The special attention will be focus on investigation related to the definition the Ganymede as potential habitat. However investigations of Europa and Callisto would complete a comparative picture of the Galilean moons. JUICE is the necessary step for future exploration of Solar System. The JUICE mission was selected by ESA in May 2012, as a first large mission within the Cosmic Vision Program 2015-2025. As Jupiter is the archetype for the giant planets of the Solar System deeply understanding this system its history, from its origin to the possible emergence of habitable environments, will give us unique possibilities for basic research as well as for exploration and advanced technical development. The JUICE mission has been formulated with consultation and strong support from the international planetary science community and it will have broad appeal across a number of different disciplines including geologists, astrobiologists, magnetospheric and atmospheric scientists. The Radio & Plasma Waves Investigation (RPWI) consists of a highly integrated instrument package that will carry out measurements that allow for comprehensive science investigations of the space environments around Jupiter primarily near Ganymede, Europa and Callisto, as well as monitoring radio wave emissions in the Jupiter system.

Evaluation of multiple ground flash charge structure from electric field measurements using the local Lightning Detection Network in region of Warsaw

During three summer months, i. e., from 16 June 2009 to 16 September 2009 the Local Lightning Detection Network (LLDN) set up in the Warsaw region was successfully operated. For this period it was able to distinguish 16 events of multiple cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning flashes recorded simultaneously by all six stations, which recorded E field changes caused by the same flash. Using special software packet developed for purpose of E field analysis of recorded E field changes gave a new possibility to calculate three dimensional location of each point electric charge source, i.e., by the estimated value of its parameters x, y, z in local set of the Cartesian coordinates, and also the magnitude of the electric charge, Q, involved in particular return stroke or continuing current of the considered CG lightning discharge. Some examples of such spatial and time development of recorded multiple CG flashes initiated in different meteorological situation/thunderclouds are presented and discussed in the paper.