Project Description: Waves, Instabilities & Noise Spectrometer (WINS) instrument is intended conduct in situ observations of the electric field in the ionosphere of Earth. Its primary purpose is measuring particle characteristics indirectly, via detecting plasma waves in radio domain. This method is complementary to particle instruments. The standard particle analyzer instruments are naturally prone to photoelectric effect, which causes electron emission from the surface of the spacecraft, making it charge positively and severely altering the observations. In the case of passive radio observations, the antenna immersed in a plasma senses the electric signal that originates from the thermal motion of charged particles.
NASA Relevance: The program directly aligns with Priority Science Goal #1 of Panel on Ionospheres, Thermospheres, and Mesospheres of the Heliophysics Decadal Survey aims to answer "how are mass, momentum, and energy exchanged and transformed at boundaries across and Within the ITM System?''
Work Description: The intern is to contribute to the development and implementation of the Antenna Deployment System, as well as the mechanical electrical connections architecture. The intern will be developing the hardware that is to be proposed for NASA flight opportunities.
Open or Reserved Project: Reserved/Open, 1 position reserved for student but mentor may be willing to work with another student if reserved student isn't selected.