Pushkov Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation
Russian Academy of Sciences
( founded in 1939 )
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Main scientific results of the APEX project

 

1. For the first time during space experiments it was shown an opportunity of ballistic transformation of a wave through an ionospheric wave barrier. The qualitative theory of this phenomenon is given.

2. New nonlinear electromagnetic structures like collisionless shock waves ( "jumps" of electric and magnetic fields, plasma density "jumps") are found.

3. In the polar area new types of ionospheric throws, so-called "slanting" ionospheric throws are discovered.

4. It has been proved experimentally, that the generation of kilometer radiation is produced by ascending flows of electrons.

5. It has been shown, that the modulated beam of electrons can be used for nonlocal determination of electron density and the magnetic field value.

6. It has been proved that the modulated beam of electrons is an effective constructionless antenna for the generation of VLF waves in space. The emission properties of electron beams are studied and measurements are done of the modulated electron beam radiation on the remote subsatellite controlled by its own thrusters. The observations are carried out in a wide range of magnetospheric conditions: from equatorial up to the high latitudinal auroral zones, including magnetic force tubes extending from the surface over a few Earth radii.

For the first time the VLF emission of a modulated electron beam is registered on a subsatellite at distances of tens of km.

7. The possibility is shown of an injection of the beam of electrons under conditions of unsufficient neutralisation of electric charge of the spacecraft.

8. Researches of the phenomenon of critical ionization velosity of neutral gas offered Alfven by are carried out. The possibility of critical ionization of an injected neutral gas is shown experimentally.

9. At injection of an electron beam from main spacecraft, artificial broadening of a spectrum of a VLF signal of the groundbased transmitter registered on remote subsatellite, is found out.

10. Complex experiments, coordinated with groundbased radiophysical and geophysical observatories, were carried out. Among them series of correlated experiments with satellite measurements of plasma parameters over the ionospheric plasma heating facilities (over powerful ground radio stations) are produced.

11. Measurements of plasma parameters in the auroral area in the range of heights of 450 -3000 km/s was done and extensive volume of data on the plasma particle flows, wave activity, variations of electrical and magnetic fields is obtained.