Plasma and charged particle observation by Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter: MMO

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In order to elucidate the detailed plasma structure and dynamics around Mercury, an orbiter MMO will be launched in 2010 as a joint mission between ESA and ISAS. According to the previous satellite observation (Mariner10 fly-by), Mercury has a magnetosphere with its own strong intrinsic magnetic field. Since the response time of Mercury's magnetosphere with respect to the solar wind variation is about 10 times faster than that of the Earth's magnetosphere, the time resolution of the instruments on the MMO should be high. We will propose comprehensive instruments for plasma and charged particle measurements with sufficiently high time resolution, wide energy range, wide dynamic range, wide angular coverage, and high mass resolution. The plasma and charged particle instruments consist of 7 sensors and common electronics. The 7 sensors are 2 electron energy spectrum analyzers, an energy mass spectrum analyzer, a solar wind ion energy analyzer, a high energy electron analyzer, a high energy ion analyzer, and an energetic neutral atom analyzer. The two electron energy spectrum analyzers are two top-hat type electrostatic analyzers that are placed 90 deg. apart from each other. An electron energy spectrum is obtained every 1/64 spin period, which is nominally 1/16 seconds while three dimensional electron velocity distribution function is obtained every 1/4 spin period. Solar wind ion energy analyzer measures energy spectrum of Mercury originated ions as well as solar wind ions. Since the thermal environment around Mercury is very severe, thermal design of the instrument is very important. For the purpose of obtaining maximum science output under low telemetry rate, reducing the data rate while keeping the data quality as good as possible is also very important.

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