STUDY OF PHYSICAL PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH ATMOSPHERIC LIGHTNING
DISCHARGES USING THE CHIBIS-M MICROSATELLITE AND PROGRESS CARGO VEHICLE
(MIKROSPUTNIK)
Research Area: Small Satellites and Control Technologies
Expedition(s): 29-ongoing
Principal Investigator(s): ● Lev М. Zelenyi, PhD, Institute of Space Research of the Russian
Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Study of Physical Processes Associated with Atmospheric Lightning Discharges Using the
Chibis-M Microsatellite and Progress Cargo Vehicle (Mikrosputnik) is designed for an in-depth
investigation of the physical mechanisms of electrical discharges in the atmosphere in the
broadest energy spectrum, specifically from RF to gamma rays. Above all, the extremely
powerful gamma radiation at altitudes of 10-20 kilometers is a potential hazard for airline
crews and passengers. Gamma radiation, which does in fact reach Earth, covers wide areas,
which can be important both from an ecological perspective and in terms of human safety. And
finally, single supercharged RF pulses carry high radiation energy in virtually the entire radio
wave range used (up to and exceeding 3 GHz) and can serve as a convenient natural radiation
source to create a global monitoring system for radio communications.
EARTH BENEFITS
This research demonstrated the need for providing useful information on space weather to a
wide range of users in the science, economics, medicine, and other sectors. Because of the
developments in space communication/navigation systems, northern regions exploration and
transpolar civil aviation routes exploitation, the dependence on solar and space environment
factors will only increase in the future.
Monitoring of electromagnetic activity (0.01-40 kHz) by latitude and longitude (data obtained in quiescent
geomagnetic conditions as of 10/02/2012 are shown on the left; geomagnetic disturbances as of 10/13/2012 are
shown on the right; these panels describe, from top to bottom: the electrical filed component, the magnetic field
component, and the microsatellite orbit projection on the Earth's surface; the time interval as shown along the
horizontal axis on the left and right pictures is ~6 hours).