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[20.01.2010]
A study based on data collected by the four ESA Cluster satellites and the CNSA/ESA Double Star TC-1 spacecraft, provides new insight into the location and duration of ruptures in the Earth's magnetic shield. |
| Multiple rifts in Earth's magnetic shield |
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[16.07.2009]
Using data from the Cluster mission scientists have discovered a mechanism that can account for the heating of the solar wind. This discovery was highlighted in the 12 June 2009 issue of Physical Review Letters. |
| Cluster shows how solar wind is heated |
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[18/06/2009] The Cluster and Double Star missions have reached the milestone of 1000 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals. After almost nine years in space, the four Cluster spacecraft continue to produce new science and cross new regions of space. |
| Cluster & Double Star: 1000 publications |
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[29.04.2009]
Combined observations with the six spacecraft of the Cluster and Double Star missions have allowed scientists to monitor in detail the impact of extreme solar events on the Earth and the near-Earth environment. |
| Monitoring the impact of extreme solar... |
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[25.03.2009]
The four satellites of ESA's Cluster mission have revealed, for the first time, how turbulence develops in space just outside the Earth's magnetic environment. |
| Cluster's insight into space turbulence |
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| The four Cluster satellites
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| LAUNCH DATES: |
16-Jul-2000 12:39 UT and 09-Aug-2000 11:13 UT
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| MISSION END: | 31 December 2012 (extended mission), subject to a mid-term review in 2010 |
| LAUNCH VEHICLE: | 2 Russian Soyuz launchers, each with a Fregat upper stage. |
| LAUNCH MASS: | 4800 kg |
| MISSION PHASE: |
Operational |
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Elliptical polar orbit, period: 57 hours
Perigee: 19 000 km, apogee: 119 000 km |
The four Cluster spacecraft are providing a detailed three-dimensional map of the magnetosphere, with surprising results |
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Cluster is currently investigating the Earth's magnetic environment and its interaction with the solar wind in three dimensions. Science output from Cluster greatly advances our knowledge of space plasma physics, space weather and the Sun-Earth connection and has been key in improving the modeling of the magnetosphere and understanding its various physical processes. |
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