INSPIRESat-1: Science Expectations for an Ionosphere Exploring CubeSat

The International Satellite Program in Research and Education’s first satellite (INSPIRESat-1) is a 3U ionosphere exploring cubesat carrying the compact ionosphere probe (CIP). The INSPIRESat-1 CIP will measure ion temperature, composition, drift velocity, and density as well as electron temperature in an expected orbit of 500 km and 50° inclination. The mission is slated for launch with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 2019. The primary science objectives are to better understand the morphology of nighttime small-scale plasma irregularities and to investigate the latitudinal extent of the midnight temperature maximum (MTM). In this study, the capability of the INSPIRESat-1 to measure features of the MTM was analyzed by sampling simulation results from the coupled Whole Atmosphere Model (one of the few models capable of producing the MTM) and Global Ionosphere Plasmasphere model at the expected orbit. The simulated satellite data were examined by plotting global data coverages and individual measurements through a few orbits to determine the extent to which the INSPIRESat-1 will be able to resolve the MTM or not. We also compare these analyses to previously published literature whose data were collected by very similar satellite instruments.