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The Geospace Dynamics Observatory; A Paradigm Changing Geospace MissionThe Geospace Dynamics Observatory (GDO) mission observes the near-Earth region in space called Geospace with unprecedented resolution, scale and sensitivity. At a distance of 60 Earth Radii (Re) in a near-polar circular orbit and a approx. 27-day period, GDO images the earth's full disk with (1) a three-channel far ultraviolet imager, (2) an extreme ultraviolet imager of the plasmasphere, and (3) a spectrometer in the near to far ultraviolet range that probes any portion of the disk and simultaneously observes the limb. The exceptional capabilities of the GDO mission include (1) unprecedented improvement in signal to noise for globalscale imaging of Earth's space environment that enable changes in the Earth's space environment to be resolved with orders of magnitude higher in temporal and spatial resolution compared to existing data and other approaches, and (2) unrivaled capability for resolving the temporal evolution, over many days, in local time or latitude with a continuous view of Earth's global-scale evolution while simultaneously capturing the changes at scales smaller than are possible with other methods. This combination of new capabilities is a proven path to major scientific advances and discoveries. The GDO mission (1) has the first full disk imagery of the density and composition variability that exist during disturbed "storm" periods and the circulation systems of the upper atmosphere, (2) is able to image the ionosphere on a global and long time scale basis, (3) is able to probe the mechanisms that control the evolution of planetary atmospheres, and (4) is able to test our understanding of how the Earth is connected to the Sun. This paper explores the optical and technical aspects of the GDO mission and the implementation strategy. Additionally, the case will be made that GDO addresses a significant portion of the priority mission science articulated in the recent Solar and Space Physics Decadal Survey.
Document ID
20140003222
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Spann, James (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Reardon, Patrick J. (Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pitalo, Ken (Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Stahl, Phil (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Hopkins, Randall (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
April 21, 2014
Publication Date
August 25, 2013
Subject Category
Astronomy
Report/Patent Number
M13-2985
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2013 SPIE Optics and Photonics Conference
Location: San Diego, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: August 25, 2013
End Date: August 29, 2013
Sponsors: International Society for Optical Engineering
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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