NASA has officially selected a mission led by Dartmouth College to advance its understanding of the Earth’s magnetosphere. The initiative, known as the Cross-Scale Investigation of Earth’s Magnetotail and Aurora (CINEMA), has been awarded approximately $28 million for a 10-month second phase of development. This phase will focus on planning and design for flight and mission operations, as announced on December 11.
Mission Overview and Objectives
CINEMA aims to uncover the intricacies of global energy circulation within the magnetosphere, which is responsible for powerful magnetic storms, explosive substorms, and the breathtaking auroras visible in the night sky. Under the leadership of Robyn Millan, the Margaret Anne and Edward Leede ’49 Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Dartmouth, the mission will develop nine small spacecraft for NASA’s Heliophysics Small Explorer program.
If the mission progresses beyond this phase, a launch is anticipated no earlier than 2030. The CINEMA spacecraft will be strategically positioned throughout the solar system, forming a network that will observe and map the flow of energy and particles between the Sun and its planets, including Earth.
Research teams from multiple institutions will collaborate on this project, with management handled by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab. Each of the nine spacecraft will be equipped with three instruments designed to collect data on the structure and evolution of Earth’s plasma sheet. This plasma sheet plays a crucial role in controlling the release of energy that can lead to spectacular auroras.
Scientific Significance and Expectations
According to Millan, “CINEMA’s innovative multi-spacecraft approach will give us a perspective on Earth’s magnetotail that we’ve never had before.” She emphasizes that this mission has the potential to unlock new discoveries that will significantly enhance our understanding of the Sun-Earth system.
Earth’s magnetotail is a dynamic region that stores substantial amounts of energy, which is periodically released, sending particles toward the atmosphere and generating phenomena such as the Northern Lights. Millan notes that this energy release can vary from gradual to sudden and explosive, with the specific mechanisms of these events still largely shrouded in mystery.
Joe Westlake, director of the Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington, added that “the CINEMA mission will help us to research magnetic convection in Earth’s magnetosphere—a critical piece of the puzzle in understanding why some space weather events are so influential.” These events can lead to magnificent auroras and have significant impacts on both ground- and space-based infrastructure.
Dartmouth’s physics and astronomy department is enthusiastic about its role in the mission. Ryan Hickox, the department chair, expressed excitement about the opportunity to contribute to NASA science under Millan’s leadership. He stated, “This exciting project builds on Dartmouth’s legacy of excellence in space and plasma physics, including previous NASA missions led by Robyn and other Dartmouth faculty.”
The Applied Physics Lab will not only oversee mission implementation but will also design two of the three instruments for the spacecraft. The third instrument is being developed through collaboration with the Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California and the Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory.
Bobby Braun, head of APL’s Space Exploration Sector, stated, “CINEMA provides a critical tool to aid our understanding of space weather. We’re thrilled that NASA recognizes the scientific value CINEMA will deliver, and we’re excited to start working with our partners to implement this mission.”
As the project unfolds, it promises to offer deeper insights into the mechanisms of Earth’s magnetosphere, potentially reshaping our understanding of space weather phenomena and their implications for life on our planet.
