• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.239-256
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• 2023

The Earth's ionosphere is an area where part of the upper atmosphere is ionized and exists in a plasma state that affects radio waves. It is a field that has been studied for a long time as it directly affects real life in relation to communications. Depending on the altitude, it is divided into D, E, and F layers depending on the main ions that make up the electron density. The density of the neutral atmosphere is very large compared to the electron density, so it should be described as plasma taking that effect into account. It is an area where influences from outside the ionosphere are directly reflected, starting from the sun and extending to the earth's surface, and is a field that involves complex and diverse areas of research. In this paper, we explain the process by which the Earth's upper atmosphere is ionized to form the ionosphere and introduce the characteristics of the ionosphere at low and mid-latitudes. In addition, we introduce the research that domestic researchers have participated in related to the ionosphere to date and hope that it will be used to promote exchange in the field of ionospheric research in the future.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.467-478
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• 2009

The super-geomagnetic storms called 2003 Halloween event globally occurred during the period of 29 through 31 which are the following days when the solar flares of X18 class exploded on 28 October 2003. The S4 index from GPS signal strength and the peak electron density ($NmF_2$) from GPS tomography method are analyzed according to the date. The occurrences of the cycle slip and scintillation in the GPS signals are 1,094 and 1,387 on 28 and 29 October, respectively and these values are higher than 604 and 897 on 30 and 31 October. These mean the ionospheric disturbances are not always generated by the period of geomagnetic storm. Therefore, GPS S4 index is useful to monitor the ionospheric disturbances. Behaviors of ionospheric electron density estimated from GPS tomography method are analyzed with the date. At UT = 18 hr, the maximum $NmF_2$ is shown on 28 October. It agrees with $NmF_2$ variation measured from Anyang ionosonde, and the GPS signal are better condition on 30 and 31 October than 28 October. In conclusion, GPS signal condition is relation with geomagnetic activities, and depend upon the variation of the electron density. We will study the long-term data to examine the relationship between the GPS signal quality and the electron density as the further works.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.81-103
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• 2022

In this paper, the contents of the design and development process of the 6U micro-satellite Snipe (SNIPE, national name Toyosat; small scale magnetospheric and Ionospheric plasma experiment ), which was developed to observe the near-global space environment through polarization flight for the first time in Korea, were described. Snipe performs transversal flight to observe the Earth's surrounding space environment in three dimensions, and aims to simultaneously observe the space plasma density and temperature in the ionosphere, as well as temporal changes in the solar magnetic field and electromagnetic waves. In this way, it was developed by dividing it into a test certification model (EQM) and a flight model (FM) to perform the actual mission for at least six months, away from developing a cube satellite for short-term space technology verification or manpower training. Currently, Snipe, which has completed the development of a total of four FM and completed all space environment tests, is scheduled to launch 2023. In this paper, we introduce the design contents and development process of the Snipe satellite body ahead of launch, and hope that it will be a useful reference for the development of 6U-class micro-satellite for full-scale mission in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.117-128
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• 1998

Topex/Poseidon satellite, launched in Auguest 1992, has provided more 5 years of very good quality data. Efficient improvements, either about instrumental accuracy or about sea level data correction, have been made so that Topex/Poseidon has become presently a wonderful tool for many researchers. The first mission data of 73 cycles, September 1992 - August 1994, was used to our study in order to know characteristics of environmental correction factors in the Amsterdam-Crozet-Kerguelen region of the South Indian Ocean. According to standard procedures as defined under user handbook for sea surface height data processes, then we have chosen cycles 43 as the cycle of reference because this cycle has provided the completed data for measurement points and has presented the exacted position of ground track compared to another cycles. It was computed variations of various factors for correction in ascending ground track 103(Amsterdam-Kerguelen continental plateau) and descending ground track170 (Crozet basin). Here the variations of ionosphere, dry troposphere, humid troposphere, electromagnetic bias, elastic tide and loading tide were generally very smaller as a few of cm, but the variations of oceanic tide(30-35cm) and inverted barometer(15-30cm) were higher than another factors. For the correction of ocean tide, our model(CEFMO: Code d' Elements Finis pour la Maree Oceanique) - This is hydrodynamic model that is very well applicated in all oceanic situations - was used because this model has especially good solution in the coastal and island area as the open sea area. Conclusionally, it should be understood that the variation of ocean free surface is mainly under the influence of tides(>80-90%) in the Amsterdam - Crozet- Kerguelen region of the South Indian Ocean.