The Stanford University VLF Wave Injection Experiment on the ISEE-A Spacecraft

A Stanford University VLF wave injection experiment will be carried out as part of the ISEE mission. This experiment consists essentially of three basic components; a broad-band VLF receiver on ISEE-A, a broad-band VLF transmitter located at Siple Station in the Antarctic, and a number of ground stations in the Antarctic and Canada. This experiment is an outgrowth of VLF wave injection experiments carried out over the past four years using the Stanford University transmitter at Siple Station, Antarctica. The purpose of this experiment is to study VLF-wave-particle interactions in the magnetosphere, with the goal of achieving a better understanding of this important portion of the earth's environment. In the present paper we sketch briefly the scientific background of the experiment and describe the functions of the ISEE-A instrument.