Radio & Plasma Wave Science (RPWS)

PI: Prof. Donald A. Gurnett

RPWS Principal Investigator:

Prof. Donald A. Gurnett
Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Iowa
Van Allen Hall
Iowa City, Ia 52242

RPWS General Description:

WHAT IT MEASURES; The major functions of the Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RWPS) instrument are to study the plasma waves, radio emissions and related phenomena in the vicinity of Saturn, it's largest moon, Titan, and other targets accessible to the Cassini mission.

HOW; Comprehensive measurements over a broad frequency range of electric and magnetic field fluctuations coupled with measurements of electron density and temperature in the interplanetary medium and planetary magnetosperes will enable RPWS instrument to address many of the basic science objectives of the Cassini mission.

RPWS Scientific Objectives:

To study the configuration of Saturn's magnetic field and its relationship to Saturn Kilometric Radiation (SKR).
To monitor and map the sources of SKR.
To study daily variations in Saturn's ionosphere and search for outflowing plasma in the magnetic cusp region.
To study radio signals from lightning in Saturn's atmosphere.
To investigate Saturn Electric Discharges (SED).
To determine the current systems in Saturn's magnetosphere and study the composition, sources, and sinks of magnetospheric plasma.
To investigate the dynamics of the magnetosphere with the solar wind, satellites, and rings.
To study the rings as a source of magnetospheric plasma.
To look for plasma waves associated with ring spoke phenomena.
To determine the dust and meteroid distributions throughout the Saturnian system and interplanetary space.
To study waves and turbulence generated by the interaction of charged dust grains with the magnetospheric plasma.
To investigate the interactions of the icy satellites and the ring systems.
To measure electron density and temperature in the vicinity of Titan.
To study the ionization of Titan's upper atmosphere and ionosphere and the interactions of the atmosphere and exosphere with the surrounding plasma.
To investigate the production, transport, and loss of plasma from Titan's upper atmosphere and ionosphere.
To search for radio signals from lightning in Titan's atmosphere, a possible source for atmospheric chemistry.
To study the interaction of Titan with the solar wind and magnetospheric plasma.
To study Titan's vast hydrogen torus as a source of magnetospheric plasma.
To study Titan's induced magnetosphere.

RPWS Sensing Instruments:

Electric Field Sensor
Magnetic Field Sensor
Langmuir Probe
High, Medium, and Wide Band Receivers

RPWS Instrument Characteristics:

Mass (current best estimate) = 6.80 kg
Average Operating Power (current best estimate) = 7.00 W
Average Data Rate (current best estimate) = 0.90 kilobits/s

COLLABORATORS	INSTITUTION	COUNTRY	ROLE
H. Alleyne L. Wooliscroft*	University of Sheffield	UK	Data Compression
Others From;	GSFC (Goddard)	USA	Design/Development, Science Analysis
...	University of Minnesota	USA	Science Analysis
...	Meudon	France	H F receivers
...	CETP/UVSQ	France	Instrument sensors/Science analysis
...	IRF-U	Sweden	Electronics
...	Space Research Institute	Austria	Software
...	ESTEC	EU	Langmuir Probe

UK COST; Ł100K

CONTACT FOR PRESS ENQUIRIES; Dr. Hugo Alleyne - 0114 2825235

*Mr L Woolliscroft was the original lead person on this project at Sheffield. Mr Woolliscroft died in 1996 and Dr. Alleyne has taken on this task.

Prof. Manuel Grande
Last updated: 11 June 2001