THERION-F2: THERmosphere-IONosphere-F2

The main objectives of the THERION-F2 (THERmosphere-IONosphere-F2) project are

Monitoring of the environment on a basis of measurements of main parameters of neutral atmosphere and ionosphere of the Earth,

Research of the physical nature of the ionosphere-thermosphere coupling in the planetary scale,

Testing and development of the existing empirical and theoretical thermosphereionosphere models,

Prototype of THERION-F2 is the TIMED (Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics) mission. An advantage of the project is a greater range of altitudes (70-700 km) studied by satellite at an elliptical orbit. The satellite periodically will measure the ionosphere parameters at a level of F2 layer: at the altitude 70-300 km by remote methods and at the altitude 350-700 km by contact (in situ) methods. The project will operate simultaneously with measurements of the non-coherent scattering experimental arrangement such as EISCAT.
Scientific payload (weight is 200 kg) includes ionozond, neutral mass-spectrometer, Doppler interferometer for measuring of the neutral wind speed, accelerometer for measurement of the atmosphere density, electric field sensor, energetic particles sensors and photometer for measurement of the UV solar flux.

Source: Russian Space Program: Experiments in Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 2004



Russian - Italian cooperation in the field of fundamental space researches, Dubna, 18.12.2009

8. Creating space for complex studies of the ionosphere and thermosphere of the Earth. Code: ROC "Therion-F2". Customer: The Russian Academy of Sciences.

Space Complex, provides results of studies of the parameters of the ionosphere and thermosphere, as well as mechanisms for forming the thermospheric and ionospheric communication on a global scale through direct and remote sensing measurements on board the LEO satellite at an altitude of 300 km. Lifetime - 1 year

2013-2022 Launch spacecraft 2018

Determined on a competitive basis.

Source: Subsection 1.3. "Space funds for fundamental space research" (Astronomy Research Council)

Terion F2 is a space complex for the observation of the parameters and formative processes of the ionosphere and thermosphere from an Earth orbiting satellite at a height of 300 km. This will be a one-year mission, due for launch in 2018.

Source: Space Exploration 2008, David M. Harland, Brian Harvey

Space complex ensuring results of study of parameters of ionosphere and thermosphere, as well as of mechanisms forming thermosphere and ionosphere connections on a planetary scale on the basis of direct and remote methods of measurements onboard low-orbit spacecraft at a height of 300 km.

Launch of the spacecraft is scheduled for 2018.

Source: News from Russia 2011

Roscosmos is not going to turn off research projects, provided the PCF (Novosti, 2012.03.16)

However, he said, the experts decided to move the start of work on a number of projects for the period after 2015, in order to improve the reliability of scientific equipment and the priorities of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). In particular, the implementation of projects "astrometry", "Therion-F2", "Spectrum-UFM", "RGM-spectra" "Coronas-Stereo", "Roy", "Mars-NET", "Mercury-P", "X-Ray-2-XEOS", "Astron-2" has been moved to a later date.

THERION -F2 (tvroscosmos)

Space segment provides results of studies of the ionosphere and thermosphere parameters and mechanisms that form the thermosphere and ionosphere due to planetary scale in direct and remote sensing measurements from the board of low-orbit spacecraft at an altitude of 300 km. Start working on a spacecraft is scheduled for 2014.

Fundamental space research (Roscosmos)

Research and development of an ion engine for a super-low-altitude satellite (JAXA)

SLATS (Gunter's Space Page)