Test Methods for Natural and Stimulated Emissions in the Ionosphere and Magnetosphere

Air Force Office of Scientific Research’s (AFOSR) mission is to support United States Air Force goals of maximum utilization of air and space. AFOSR accomplishes its mission by investing in basic research efforts for the Department of the Air Force and Space Force in relevant scientific areas. The region between 40 km – 1000 km in altitude is a relevant space domain offering fundamental science challenges to measure stimulated and natural emissions. Space Shuttle entry tracks [1] from 160 km to 40 km delineate the complexity the region; particularly Space Transportation System-4 which hit a “pothole in-the-sky.” Value of precise test measurement in the ionosphere region and magnetosphere includes characterization of chemistry non-equilibrium properties and exploration of non-linear plasma physics.