The plasma physics of the active magnetospheric particle tracer explorers (AMPTE) mission

In August 1984, the three-spacecraft AMPTE Mission is due to commence. The purpose of these 'active' experiments is firstly to release lithium into the solar wind and to use the lithium ions, formed by photoionisation, as 'test particles' to investigate their crossing of the bow shock, their entry into the magnetosphere and subsequent energisation. Secondly, it is to release barium in the dawn magnetosheath to create an artificial comet. Thirdly, it is to inject both lithium and barium into the tail of the magnetosphere to study plasma convection. Observations will be made on the spacecraft and from the ground. These will provide information on the plasma physics of the natural plasma environment of the Earth and also of the formation and evolution of an expanding diamagnetic cavity. Particular attention is paid to the various plasma instabilities and wave phenomena anticipated in these experiments, and to the natural waves which will be observed. (author)