AERO & VISTA: Demonstrating HF Radio Interferometry with Vector Sensors

Presenter Information

Frank D. Lind, MIT Haystack Observatory
Philip J. Erickson, MIT Haystack Observatory
Michael Hecht, MIT Haystack Observatory
Mary Knapp, MIT Haystack Observatory
Geoffrey Crew, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Ryan Volz, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
John Swoboda, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Frank Robey, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Mark Silver, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Alan J. Fenn, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Benjamin Malphrus, Morehead State University
Kerri Cahoy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Session

Session V: Upcoming Missions

Location

Utah State University, Logan, UT

Abstract

AERO (Auroral Emission Radio Observer) and VISTA (Vector Interferometry Space Technology using AERO) are recently selected NASA HTIDeS CubeSat missions for terrestrial auroral science and radio interferometric technology demonstration. The AERO and VISTA CubeSats both host vector sensing antenna systems providing advanced electromagnetic capabilities. Together, they will provide the first in-space demonstration of interferometric imaging, beamforming, and nulling using electromagnetic vector sensors at low frequencies (100 kHz –15 MHz). A key goal of the joint missions’ technology demonstration is to validate theoretical sensor performance modeling indicating that interferometric arrays composed of vector sensors will be able to maintain sensitivity even in the presence of terrestrial interference. If validated in flight, this capability would relax the requirement that space-based low frequency interferometers be placed far from the Earth (e.g. lunar orbit), and the closer communications range will significantly increase the data volume returned from space-based radio telescope systems. The two-spacecraft AERO+VISTA mission will address the auroral science goals of AERO (Erickson et al. 2018, SSC18) while adding three additional technology demonstration goals enabled by the second CubeSat, VISTA.