Camella Nasr, Ionospheric Scientist   Image furnished by NASA The monitoring and understanding of Earth’s ionosphere—a critical region for communication, navigation systems and space weather—rely on innovative data sources and methods. NASA's Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition (CSDA) program was created to tap into the growing commercial satellite industry. Orion Space Solutions serves as one of NASA's expert evaluators, helping determine if commercially available satellite data meets NASA's high standards for scientific research.  As part of our role on the program, we have been working with GeoOptics, a new vendor to the CSDA program, to assess the applicability of their radio occultation (RO) data for measuring total electron content (TEC) and supporting ionospheric research.  Our evaluation focused on data gathered between January 2020 and May 2021, with the objective of determining its suitability for NASA’s ionospheric research goals and broader applications. Our findings provide insight into how well GeoOptics TEC measurements complement existing datasets and advance ionospheric studies.  ASSESSING ACCURACY AND COVERAGE   GeoOptics is contributing data collected by three high-inclination satellites. One of the key evaluation metrics is the accuracy of GeoOptics TEC measurements. We compared their data to that from COSMIC-2/FORMOSAT-7, a reliable benchmark in ionospheric TEC studies. By selecting overlapping orbital regions—equatorward of 24 degrees and at local times of approximately 10 and 22—our team quantified the absolute accuracy of GeoOptics "overhead" TEC (elevation angles greater than 60 degrees). Aggregated daily measurements from both datasets were compared statistically to determine alignment and accuracy.  For further evaluation, we used another benchmark: ionosondes. Through an Abel inversion, GeoOptics TEC data was used to create electron density profiles (EDPs), which we then compared to auto scaled EDPs from ionosonde stations collocated with the satellite paths. This step added another layer of validation to assess the overall quality of the GeoOptics dataset.  Coverage was the second critical factor we analyzed. Using the full dataset, we examined the range of elevation angles and altitudes covered by each occultation. To dig deeper, a "day-in-the-life" analysis mapped how often the GNSS-to-LEO satellite raypaths intersect the ionosphere at different latitudes, local times, and altitudes. From this analysis, we visualized the average revisit rates for GeoOptics and compared them to the existing datasets from COSMIC-2 and Spire, two vendors already part of the CSDA program.  THE VALUE OF GEOOPTICS FOR IONOSPHERIC RESEARCH   Our evaluation highlighted the potential role GeoOptics TEC data can play in advancing ionospheric research. Specifically,  GeoOptics contributes valuable insights that enhances NASA’s existing datasets to help refine ionospheric specification and modeling.  The inclusion of GeoOptics as part of NASA’s CSDA program illustrates the expanding potential of commercial satellite data for scientific research. As more small satellites enter orbit, so does the opportunity to enhance our understanding of Earth’s atmosphere and its critical regions, like the ionosphere.  Orion Space Solutions is proud to be part of this important evaluation.  To see a poster presentation of this work as it was originally presented, click the link below.    ABOUT THE AUTHOR   Dr. Camella Nasr studies planetary atmospheres at Orion Space Solutions, where she focuses on understanding ionospheric dynamics. Her background includes extensive research on the atmosphere of Mars, analyzing winds, jet streaks, and planetary waves. She specializes in identifying large-scale atmospheric patterns and the influence of magnetic fields on climate behavior.

John Noto, Chief Scientist and Jeff Steward, Director of Scientific Research  The thermosphere, a region of Earth’s upper atmosphere, is constantly in motion, driven by complex processes such as solar forcing, tides, plasma convection and Joule heating. Neutral winds in the thermosphere, which are crucial for understanding atmospheric dynamics, have historically been measured by ground-based instruments like Fabry-Perot interferometers. These tools, in use since 1966, rely on airglow and auroral emissions to capture wind patterns at thermospheric altitudes. While valuable, these instruments are limited to local nighttime observations and are often affected by weather conditions, creating a need for alternative methods to expand our understanding.  A promising solution comes from an unexpected source: satellites already in orbit. As they travel through the thermosphere, satellites experience small but measurable drag caused by collisions with neutral particles. This drag offers an opportunistic way to observe the thermosphere’s neutral winds and density, providing a new perspective on this dynamic region of the atmosphere.  HOW SATELLITE DRAG BECOMES A SCIENTIFIC TOOL Satellite drag can be predicted using the drag equation, which incorporates factors such as the drag coefficient, cross-sectional area of the satellite, thermospheric density, and the squared velocity of the satellite relative to the atmosphere. With accurate thermospheric density and wind models and proper orbital dynamics, the location of satellites becomes highly predictable.  However, when discrepancies arise between predicted and actual satellite positions, data assimilation techniques can be used to correct these differences. By integrating observed satellite positions with physical models, scientists can refine their estimates of both neutral density and neutral winds in the thermosphere.  IMPROVING NEUTRAL WIND OBSERVATIONS   Previously, data assimilation methods focused on improving estimates of neutral density by assuming fixed neutral winds based on empirical models. The current research presented by shows that satellite positions can also provide a valuable observation of neutral winds.  While the position of a single satellite cannot uniquely separate neutral winds from neutral density, combining data from multiple satellites in diverse orbits significantly improves accuracy. This approach enhances background estimates from established models such as Mass Spectrometer and Incoherent Scatter Radar (MSIS) and the Thermosphere-Ionosphere- Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIE-GCM), providing a clearer picture of the thermosphere.  LOOKING AHEAD   Future advancements in satellite tracking could make these observations even more precise. High-frequency updates to satellite position data—often called ephemerides—would allow for greater sensitivity to smaller-scale neutral wind features. This improvement could be incorporated into upcoming satellite missions with minimal additional costs or enabled through the development of dedicated, low-cost satellite missions designed to focus exclusively on drag.  By unlocking the potential of satellite drag as a tool for studying the thermosphere, this research paves the way for more comprehensive and cost-effective understanding of neutral winds and density. These findings could significantly enhance our ability to model the thermosphere, with implications for satellite operations, space weather forecasting and Earth-atmosphere interactions.  This work was originally presented at AGU 2024 by John Noto. ABOUT THE AUTHORS   John Noto, Ph.D. is the chief scientist at Orion Space Solutions, an Arcfield company. As an experienced optical physicist and aeronomer he leads the development of optical sensors for ground and space-based sensing for space domain awareness, earth imaging and atmospheric sensing.  Jeff Steward, Ph.D. is director for scientific analysis and research at Orion Space Solutions. His specialty is in data assimilation using high performance computing to leverage satellite and remotely sensed observations to improve forecast skill.

Federico Gasperini, Research Scientist  In recent years, scientific discoveries have revealed intriguing connections between Earth’s lower atmosphere and the dynamics of the thermosphere, the upper region of our atmosphere extending above 100 kilometers. One of the most fascinating links is how tropical weather systems, particularly the periodic Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), create rippling effects that propagate all the way to the thermosphere. These perturbations also significantly impact the ionosphere, degrading communications, GPS and radar systems, while thermospheric variability drives uncertainties in satellite drag, conjunction analysis and reentry.  A recent Orion study  investigates this remarkable connection using advanced modeling and satellite data. The study highlights how solar tides, generated by tropical weather systems like the MJO, interact with the thermosphere, leading to intra-seasonal oscillations (ISOs) in the thermosphere. By integrating data from NASA’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) mission into Orion’sThermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM), the team has discovered new insights into this atmosphere-wide connection.  A CLOSER LOOK AT THE MADDEN-JULIAN OSCILLATION AND SOLAR TIDES   The MJO is a prominent weather phenomenon in the tropics, characterized by atmospheric convection and circulation patterns that occur on intra-seasonal timescales of 30 to 90 days. The MJO is not confined to the lower atmosphere; its influence extends upward through thermal tides—regular variations in atmospheric density and motion caused by solar heating and latent heat release from tropical convection. These solar tides act as a mechanism for transferring energy, momentum and variability from the troposphere to the thermosphere. While the connection between the MJO and thermospheric dynamics has long been hypothesized, advances in satellite technology, particularly through the ICON mission, allowed researchers to investigate this coupling with unprecedented detail.  FINDINGS FROM ICON-ENHANCED MODELING   Using an enhanced version of the TIEGCM model, which incorporates data from ICON’s Michelson Interferometer for Global High-resolution Thermospheric Imaging (MIGHTI), Gasperini’s study explored how solar tides driven by the MJO impact the thermosphere. The study focused on the thermospheric “gap” region, located between 100 and 300 kilometers altitude, and revealed significant oscillations in east-west winds at altitudes of 110 to 150 kilometers.  The findings show that these wind variations, with amplitudes of more than 20 meters per second, correlate strongly with periodic patterns in the lower atmosphere driven by the MJO. The research also quantified the connection, finding that thermospheric variability in the diurnal eastward nonmigrating tide (DE3), primarily excited by latent heating from tropical convection, shares about 38 percent of its variance with the Real-Time Multivariate MJO index, a metric used to measure the strength of the MJO.    IMPLICATIONS FOR WHOLE-ATMOSPHERE DYNAMICS   This study underscores the role of vertically propagating thermal tides in establishing a connection between the lower and upper layers of Earth’s atmosphere. The MJO, a key driver of tropical weather, acts as a bridge, transferring variability from the troposphere to the thermosphere through upward-propagating tides.  These findings advance our understanding of the fundamental processes that drive atmospheric coupling across varied altitudes. They also demonstrate the importance of filling observational gaps in the thermosphere, a region that has historically been undersampled due to technical limitations. The integration of ICON data into TIEGCM modeling represents a significant step forward in addressing this challenge.  WHY IT MATTERS   Understanding how energy and variability propagate from the lower to upper atmosphere has wide-reaching implications for space weather prediction, satellite operations and even global circulation models. By showing how intra-seasonal variability in the tropics impacts thermospheric dynamics, this study contributes to our knowledge of how Earth’s atmosphere functions as an interconnected system.  Our atmosphere is not just a collection of isolated layers; it is a dynamic, interconnected system where events in the lower atmosphere can shape space weather and influence the regions where satellites orbit. This work highlights the power of modern satellite missions like ICON in unraveling these connections, bringing us closer to a comprehensive understanding of Earth’s atmospheric processes.  Click the link below to view the poster presentation of this work.  Federico Gasperini  is a research scientist at Orion Space Solutions, an Arcfield company, studying the dynamics of Earth’s and Mars’ upper atmospheres. His research explores how tides, waves and space weather link the lower atmosphere and ionosphere, with applications from satellite drag prediction to climate impacts. He holds a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder and has held fellowships at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Utah State University and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Recognized with honors such as the NCAR Advanced Study Program Fellowship, he has more than a decade of published research advancing atmospheric and ionospheric science.

Scott Thaller, Research Scientist  Rocket launches are known to unleash spectacular forces, propelling engineering marvels into space while creating shockwaves that ripple through the atmosphere. But did you know these events also send disturbances soaring into the ionosphere, the electrically charged upper layer of Earth’s atmosphere? These disruptions, known as traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs), provide a fascinating window into the interplay between rocket launches and the environment above us.  To better understand this phenomenon, Orion has developed a unique radar instrument called TIDDBIT (TID Detector Built in Texas). This novel tool helps shed light on the invisible waves created during rocket launches and reveals their structure and movement within the ionosphere.  HOW ROCKET LAUNCHES SHAPE THE IONOSPHERE   When a rocket launches, it generates two types of waves: atmospheric gravity waves, which are akin to ripples spreading across a pond, and shock acoustic waves, which behave more like sound waves. As these waves propagate upward, they disturb the ionosphere, creating TIDs. These are literally ripples in the sky, caused by vertical motions in the ionosphere’s charged particle layers.  TIDDBIT, a high-frequency continuous wave sounder, detects these disturbances by bouncing radio signals off the ionosphere. As the waves push the ionosphere’s layers up and down, the reflected radio waves experience a Doppler shift in frequency. By measuring these shifts at multiple reflection points in the ionosphere, scientists can reconstruct the wave patterns. This includes mapping critical parameters such as wavelength, phase speed and propagation direction, as well as determining how these properties vary across three dimensions.  WHY THIS RESEARCH MATTERS   Understanding how rocket launches influence the atmosphere and ionosphere is critical not only for advancing space science but also for detecting and tracking an increasing number of human-made activities in space.   As more satellites are launched and spaceports become busier, these insights help ensure that we can continue to safely navigate and operate in Earth's upper atmosphere. The research also advances our theoretical understanding of wave dynamics in the ionosphere and can inform models used in atmospheric and space weather prediction. RECONSTRUCTING THE SKY’S RIPPLES   The TIDDBIT radar operates at two fixed high frequencies to probe different altitudes in the ionosphere. Using cross-spectral analysis, it separates the wave components and estimates parameters like wave period, propagation direction and vertical movement. This innovative technique delivers a detailed view of the structure and movement of TIDs, offering unmatched insight into how rocket launches disturb the upper atmosphere.  The Florida TIDDBIT sounder was active during numerous rocket launches from Cape Canaveral between 2015 and 2022. Data from these observations reveal that TIDs often emerge about 10 to 20 minutes after a rocket launch, displaying wave periods of approximately 14 minutes. These characteristics align with the expected speeds at which atmospheric gravity waves travel from the launch site to the TIDDBIT detection location, about 200 km northwest of Cape Canaveral. Additionally, the data confirms that the waves propagate directly from Cape Canaveral, providing clear evidence of their origin.  Rocket launches are not just technological triumphs or milestones in space exploration; they are also drivers of natural phenomena high above us. Using tools like TIDDBIT enables scientists to quantify these atmospheric disturbances and better predict how increasing launch activity may affect ionospheric conditions, radio communications, and navigation systems.  Click the link below to view the presentation of this work.

Jeff Steward, Ph. D. When a user wants to access data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is usually a reason for the inquiry. For example, they may request the nightly temperature forecast for weeks at a time but what they are really seeking to know is when the nightly temperatures will be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night in order to lay concrete. While the data provided is useful, the user may become frustrated due to the overwhelming volume of data and the amount of work necessary to uncover the answer to a relatively simple question. Bridging this gap, known as the last mile, is a significant but challenging part of NOAA’s mission. To address this challenge, Orion recently completed a concept study for NOAA’s Satellite and Information Services (NESDIS) Joint Venture Partnerships (JVP) program to explore a new approach. Our concept study focused on applying digital twin technology to enhance NOAA’s weather monitoring and modeling systems, aiming for a solution that's not only accurate but also efficient and user-friendly for all of NOAA's service beneficiaries. UNLOCKING THE POWER OF DIGITAL TWINS Digital twins have been used successfully in sectors ranging from manufacturing to health care. The core idea is to create a digital replica of a system that is easier to interact with than the physical system. As part of a concept study awarded through the JVP Broad Agency Announcement, our team set out to prototype an Earth observation digital twin, which is an ambitious fusion of advanced software engineering and machine learning for the Earth as a whole. At its core, this digital twin acts as a virtual representation of Earth’s dynamic systems, capable of ingesting, analyzing and visualizing enormous streams of environmental data from a wide array of sensors.  The vision is a unified, intuitive digital environment that is prime for delivering actionable insights to NOAA’s diverse community of users from operational forecasters to the general public. Our prototype digital twin solution demonstrated promise for delivering detailed information at the final stage of a data processing workflow, ensuring that end-users receive highly relevant, precise, error-quantified, and easily accessible insights. By making critical information easier to access and interact with, this technology empowers users to model not just current or historical (“what now”) and future (“what next”) conditions, but also hypothetical (“what if”) scenarios. These capabilities are key tools for addressing the last mile of what users are actually looking for, and each of these capabilities is necessary for delivering on this promise.  STRENGTHENING COLLABORATIONS THROUGH JVP The NESDIS Joint Venture Partnerships (JVP) program is designed to foster meaningful collaborations between the private sector, academia and other federal agencies. This collaborative endeavor is at the heart of driving innovation, utilizing external expertise to champion the development of state-of-the-art Earth observation and ground system capabilities.  Through vehicles like Broad Agency Announcements (BAA), JVP funds pilot and demonstration projects to assess the feasibility of emerging technologies, innovative instruments and new mission concepts. This proactive strategy allows NESDIS to identify and integrate cutting-edge solutions, ensuring NOAA’s mission needs are met efficiently. The successful integration of these solutions amplifies the scientific community's capacity and elevates the quality of environmental data and services, ultimately resulting in the efficient use of taxpayer dollars and the enhancement of national weather and climate monitoring infrastructures.  KEY FINDINGS FROM THE STUDY In a recent announcement released by NOAA ,  the agency shared key findings of the NESDIS JVP study. Specifically, the release stated that the study determined the NOAA weather monitoring and modeling could improve with digital twin technology. Highlighting Orion’s contributions on the Earth Observations digital twin project, the release elaborated that in the course of developing a digital twin system for Earth observation data processing, our study highlighted several best practices to optimize performance, accessibility and scalability. Here's a summary of the recommendations that emerged from our research and prototyping efforts:  Adopt Open-Source Software:  Use open-source software tools, processes and engines that adhere to the standards set by the geospatial community. This ensures compatibility and facilitates easier collaboration and innovation across various disciplines and organizations  Embrace Open-Source Data Formats:  The adoption of open-source formats for data storage and streaming is recommended, with a preference for the Open Geospatial Consortium 3D Tiles format. This format is highly adaptable and supports the capacity for scaling and customization in data sets  Leverage Web-Based Visualization Tools:  By using web-based tools for data visualization, we eliminate the necessity for users to download and install client software. This approach greatly simplifies the user experience and makes the data more accessible to a broader audience  Automate Data Processing Pipelines:  Automation is key in ensuring that the processing and integration of data are not just swift but also consistent, enabling the continuous delivery of updated information as soon as it becomes available  Maintain Data Integrity:  The integrity of original scientific data should be maintained in its primary format to ensure authenticity. For efficient storage and streaming, a secondary format is suggested where modeled data points are stored within a hierarchical grid structure, enabling easy access while upholding scientific fidelity  Adherence to these recommendations supports the creation of a digital twin environment that is robust, efficient, and able to evolve with the growing needs of the Earth observation field.  LOOKING AHEAD Digital twin technology offers powerful new possibilities for improving how we understand and respond to Earth’s complex weather systems. The insights gained from our concept study for NOAA NESDIS mark just the beginning.  Looking ahead, the focus is on making these tools even more user-friendly, efficient and capable. The vision is a seamless integration of advanced technologies into everyday weather forecasting and climate research, helping scientists, forecasters, and decision-makers as well as the general public access the insights they need, when they need them.   To further build on this work, we are working on an additional project with NOAA known as the Knowledge Mesh Natural Language Processing project . This project utilizes large language models and natural language processing with digital twins to directly solve the user’s queries. Each user will have an associated “persona” so that the system can tailor answers to an understanding of what the user is looking for. After all, a scientist studying ground temperature and a farmer looking to lay concrete will have very different expectations of a system. The users will use natural language conversational text to query against a comprehensive knowledge mesh of data and processes with digital twins providing the “what now,” “what next,” and “what if” system capabilities. This style of interface is of course becoming increasingly prevalent with the rise of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools, so this project represents a great opportunity to tie these different streams together.  Stay tuned to the KnowledgeXchange for updates as this important work evolves, and as we continue to explore the future of digital twin innovation in weather and climate science.

Joseph Hughes, Research Scientist Space debris presents a growing challenge for satellite missions, and even small pieces of debris pose significant risks to operational spacecraft. However, tracking these small objects, particularly those smaller than 10 cm, has proven difficult. At Orion, we are exploring innovative methods to tackle this issue, focusing on disturbances in the very low frequency (VLF) electric field as a potential solution through our Space Debris Identification and Tracking (SINTRA) program. THE PROBLEM OF SPACE DEBRIS DETECTION While larger pieces of space debris (greater than 10 cm) can be tracked, smaller objects are harder to detect with traditional radar or optical systems. However, these tiny objects still have the potential to cause mission-ending damage, so finding a way to detect them has become a critical focus in the field of space safety. As we become more of spacefaring society, tracking and mitigating this debris will be essential to ensuring the safety and sustainability of future space travel and exploration. A NOVEL APPROACH: DISTURBANCES IN THE ELECTRIC FIELD To address this, we investigated the potential of using plasma waves excited by "generator" objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) to detect disturbances in the VLF electric field. The idea is that certain objects, particularly those with unique electromagnetic signatures, could cause measurable perturbations in the electric field that could be detected by nearby spacecraft with appropriate instruments. In our study, we leveraged data from the Plasma Wave Experiment (PWE) onboard the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)’s Arase spacecraft. The PWE instrument, which includes an Onboard Frequency Analyzer (OFA), measures VLF electric field power in space, providing valuable insights into plasma waves and disturbances caused by nearby objects. ANALYZING THE DATA To comprehensively analyze the conditions that lead to these electric field perturbations, we examined five months of data from the Arase spacecraft. During this period, we identified conjunctions—instances when Arase came within 300 km of objects in the Space-Track database1. These conjunctions were particularly valuable as they occurred during Arase’s highly elliptical orbit, where it spends approximately 15 minutes per orbit at altitudes below 1,000 km (the “perigee passes”). For each perigee pass, we collected detailed information on the geometry of the conjunctions, the Earth’s magnetic field (using IGRF data), electron density (using IRI data), and the corresponding VLF E field measurements from Arase’s instruments. RESULTS: DISTURBANCES AND PLASMA WAVES Through the analysis of hundreds of perigee passes, we observed frequent plasma wave occurrences that exhibited characteristics consistent with different wave types. We focused on testing three hypotheses related to the electric field power and its correlation with nearby space debris: Arase measures higher E field power when near a generator object Arase measures higher E field power when in the wake of a generator object Arase measures higher E field power when along the same magnetic field line as a generator object Our results strongly supported the first and third hypotheses, with a significant correlation (p ~ 0.0001) observed for both. This means that when Arase passed near a generator object or along the same magnetic field line, we saw a measurable increase in E field power, indicating the presence of disturbances that may be linked to nearby space debris. IMPLICATIONS FOR SPACE DEBRIS DETECTION   These findings provide promising evidence that disturbances in the VLF electric field could serve as an effective method for detecting small space debris. By monitoring plasma wave activity during spacecraft orbits, we could potentially track objects that are too small to be detected by traditional means. This approach opens up new possibilities for space safety, allowing for earlier detection of debris and better protection for active spacecraft. Space debris poses significant challenges for the future of space exploration and satellite operations. Innovative approaches, such as detecting VLF electric field disturbances, offer promising pathways for improving debris detection and mitigation strategies. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the space environment and helps advance efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities. This work was previously presented at the American Geophysical Union’s Fall Meeting for 2024. Click the link below to view the poster. 1 Space-Track.org promotes spaceflight safety, protection of the space environment and the peaceful use of space worldwide by sharing space situational awareness services and information.

Camella Nasr, Research Scientist Scientists are always looking for better ways to model the ionosphere, the upper layer of Earth’s atmosphere that affects radio signals. One promising but underutilized tool is the Oblique Ionogram (OI) , which measures how long high-frequency (HF) radio waves take to travel between a transmitter and a receiver that are far apart. Unlike Vertical Ionograms (VIs) —which measure signals traveling straight up and down—OIs are more complex because HF waves take different paths depending on frequency. Until now, their potential for improving ionospheric models had not been fully explored.  CONVERTING OBLIQUE IONOGRAMS INTO VERTCAL IONOGRAMS To make OI data easier to use, Orion developed a method to convert OIs into equivalent VIs , placing them at the midpoint between the transmitter and receiver. This transformation allowed researchers to test whether incorporating OI data into ionospheric models would improve their accuracy.  The approach was tested using a simulation experiment over the continental U.S. (CONUS), which involved:  Simulating OIs  – Tracing HF signals at different frequencies and recording the time delays.  Transforming the Data  – Converting these delays into vertical equivalents using a midpoint formula.  Generating Electron Density Profiles (EDPs)  – Using the POLAN program to calculate electron density in the lower ionosphere.  Assimilating Data  – Feeding the EDPs into Orion’s Modern Modular Model for Space Data Assimilation (M3SDA) using an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF).  COMPARING MODEL PERFORMANCE The study compared how well ionospheric models performed with and without OI data:   Baseline 1 (I)  – Models using only ionosonde (ground-based radar) data.  Baseline 2 (IRG)  – Models using ionosonde data plus Total Electron Content (TEC) and Radio Occultation (RO) data.  KEY FINDINGS:   In the ionosonde-only baseline , adding OI data improved accuracy by reducing foF2 errors (a key ionospheric measurement) by about 0.5 MHz on average . However, results varied by location and time. In the Midwest, accuracy actually decreased, likely due to strong horizontal ionospheric gradients (sudden changes in electron density) affecting OI data.  In the IRG baseline , adding OI data improved accuracy by about 0.25 MHz across CONUS , but certain areas—like the West Coast and Florida—saw performance drop by 0.15 MHz .  LESSONS LEARNED AND NEXT STEPS This research shows that while OI data can significantly improve ionospheric models, it doesn’t always help. In some regions, the transformation method struggled with complex ionospheric conditions, particularly where horizontal gradients were strong.  Moving forward, Orion will refine the transformation process to better handle these challenges. Future research will focus on identifying when and where OI data is most beneficial, ensuring it is used in ways that maximize its value for space weather forecasting.  This study marks an important step in harnessing Oblique Ionograms to enhance our understanding of the ionosphere . Stay tuned as we continue to unlock their full potential in space science!  Click the link below to view the poster presentation of this work.

Anastasia Newheart, Research Scientist At Orion, we are constantly exploring new frontiers to advance our understanding of Earth's upper atmosphere and the space environment. One of the most intriguing and dynamic regions of study lies in the ionosphere, where a complex interaction of physical processes gives rise to phenomena that impact satellite communications, navigation and global positioning systems. In this novel mission concept, we aim to study the formation and behavior of equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) and medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) through a cutting-edge very low Earth orbit (VLEO) mission. WHY STUDY EQUATORIAL PLASMA BUBBLES? EPBs are regions of low-density plasma that form in the ionosphere, primarily in equatorial regions, disrupting radio signals and affecting critical satellite operations. These irregularities are thought to result from generalized Rayleigh-Taylor instability (GRTI), a process that effectively predicts the overall patterns of EPB occurrence. However, GRTI alone cannot explain the day-to-day variability of EPBs, suggesting that other factors—such as seeding by MSTIDs—play a role.MSTIDs are medium-scale disturbances in the ionosphere, characterized by wavelengths of 100–300 km.Our mission aims to investigate whether MSTID activity in the bottom-side F-region of the ionosphere acts as a seeding mechanism for EPBs. By examining the relationship between GRTI growth rates and MSTID activity, we hope to unravel their relative contributions to EPB formation. THE MISSION DESIGN To tackle these questions, we propose a two  CubeSat mission in a sun-synchronous orbit with a local time of 19:00 and a perigee of 250 km over the equator. These two satellites will work together to provide a comprehensive view of the ionospheric conditions where EPBs are likely to form: CubeSat 1   will be equipped with an electric field probe, a magnetic field probe, and a Langmuir probe to measure key ionospheric parameters such as electron density and field dynamics CubeSat 2   will carry a Langmuir probe and a radio occultation (RO) receiver to measure total electron content (TEC) and scintillation Flying with a small longitudinal separation and approximately 10 km difference in altitude, the CubeSats will observe the density gradient in the bottom-side F-region and directly detect MSTIDs. CONNECTING MEASUREMENTS TO OUTCOMES This innovative mission design goes beyond in situ observations. By leveraging the radio occultation receiver on CubeSat 2, the mission will determine whether EPBs have formed in the same longitudinal sector as the CubeSats' prior measurements. This unique capability allows us to directly connect the observed growth rates and seeding conditions to the occurrence—or non-occurrence—of EPBs. A STEP FORWARD FOR SPACE WEATHER RESEARCH By dipping into VLEO, this mission will explore a region of the ionosphere that remains poorly understood yet critical for satellite operations and global communications. Our double CubeSat approach will provide a novel way to study the ionospheric processes that underpin space weather phenomena. Check back often to stay in the know on this mission (and others) as Orion carries on its commitment to advance science and innovation for a more connected and resilient world. Click the link below to view the poster presentation of this work.

Scott Thaller, Research Scientist   The invisible forces propelling particles through space, energizing plasma and generating waves in the magnetosphere all stem from one key player: the electric field. Understanding this field is essential for decoding Earth's space environment dynamics, including particle movement, energy transfer and magnetosphere-ionosphere connections.  Orion scientists have recently conceptualized a groundbreaking space science tool that we’re calling STEPHEI, short for Small Tenuous Plasma Heliophysics Electric Field Instrument.  The concept envisions STEPHEI operating aboard a CubeSat to measure electric fields in space—potentially transforming how researchers study tenuous plasma environments where particle densities remain extraordinarily low.  WHY ELECTRIC FIELD MEASUREMENTS MATTER   Electric fields play a crucial role in our understanding of space weather and plasma physics. These measurements help scientists decode:  Particle transport and energization processes  Wave phenomena in space  Magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling mechanisms  Other dynamic plasma behaviors  Many of these phenomena occur at spatial distance scales that scientists call the "meso-scale" - a range where traditional single-point measurements fall short. To truly understand these complex systems, we need simultaneous measurements from multiple locations that can distinguish between spatial and temporal changes.  THE CUBESAT SOLUTION   This is where STEPHEI and CubeSat technology create perfect matches. CubeSats provide a compact, cost-effective platform for deploying multiple measurement points throughout the magnetosphere, offering the spatial coverage needed to capture these elusive phenomena.  OVERCOMING TECHNICAL CHALLENGES   Traditional electric field instruments use what's called a "double probe" system with bias currents to reduce plasma sheaths between the ambient plasma and sensors. However, on small CubeSats, this approach can cause the spacecraft to charge to high electric potentials, creating artificial electric fields that contaminate the measurements.  We’ve addressed this fundamental challenge through innovative engineering, developing high-impedance, low-leakage current frontend electronics that maintain measurement integrity while operating on a compact CubeSat platform.  LOOKING FORWARD   The concept of STEPHEI represents an exciting new direction in space plasma instrumentation that could enable multi-point measurement capabilities that were previously cost-prohibitive with larger spacecraft. If developed, such technology would open new possibilities for understanding space plasma dynamics with unprecedented detail and creating more accurate space weather models.  Click the link below to view the poster presentation of this work.