Maximising the scientific outcome of planetary missions with ESA’s Spacecraft Plasma Interaction Software
Programme
Discovery
Programme Reference
21-D-R-SCI-06
Contractor
Dublin Institute for Advanced Sciences
Start Date
End Date
Status
Closed
Country
Ireland

Description
In-situ particle and field measurements are vital for planetary exploration, yet they are difficult to validate due to limited overlapping data. This project explores novel uses of the ESA funded Spacecraft Plasma Interaction Software (SPIS) to analyse and validate such measurements, focusing on early data from the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) mission. This report includes a SPIS simulation guide, an example simulation of the interaction between Juice and the solar wind, and a guide on how to use SPIS to simulate actual particle analyser perturbations caused by spacecraft - environment interactions.
Executive summary