The GGS program, as a major component of the ISTP Science Initiative, will help fill critical gaps in the scientific understanding of solar and plasma physics by using two spacecraft:
These spacecraft will be strategically located in different orbits to carry comprehensive sets of scientific instruments, which will perform high-resolution measurements. Descriptions of the
WIND and POLAR spacecraft and instruments are available:
The science objectives of the GGS Program include the following:
Measure the mass, momentum, and energy flows through geospace and understand their time variability
Obtain detailed knowledge of plasma physical processes important in controlling the behavior of the major components of the geospace system
Determine the importance of changes in energy input to the Earth's atmosphere caused by geospace plasma processes
GGS Mission Objectives
The key objectives of the GGS Program mission are as follows:
Acquisition and analysis of coordinated particle, field, and imaging data from satellites located in four critical regions of geospace: solar wind, geomagnetic, polar magnetosphere, and Equatorial region
Acquisition and analysis of coordinated geophysical data from ground-based facilities to complement the satellite measurements
Development of global theoretical and empirical models to assist in the interpretation of measurements
