MMS Mission
The Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) Mission: The MMS Mission is made up of 4 identical satellites. Each satellite is made up of 26 instruments. Once launched, NASA scientists and engineers will test each of the parts to make sure they are working properly.
After that, the satellites will begin to collect data from the Earth's magnetosphere. The Earth's magnetosphere protects our planet from sun explosions that spew particles towards the earth.
The data they collect will enable scientists to study the microphysics of plasma processes: magnetic reconnection, energetic particle acceleration, and turbulence. This means, data will be collected as the particles from the explosions on the sun's surface move towards Earth and hit the magnetic field that surrounds our planet.
Why? Scientists want to know more about the role this plays in space weather.
MMS Fun Facts:
After that, the satellites will begin to collect data from the Earth's magnetosphere. The Earth's magnetosphere protects our planet from sun explosions that spew particles towards the earth.
The data they collect will enable scientists to study the microphysics of plasma processes: magnetic reconnection, energetic particle acceleration, and turbulence. This means, data will be collected as the particles from the explosions on the sun's surface move towards Earth and hit the magnetic field that surrounds our planet.
Why? Scientists want to know more about the role this plays in space weather.
MMS Fun Facts:
- This mission has been worked on for about ten years.
- Hundreds of people helped in this process.
- The satellites will collect data for about 2 1/2 years.
- The mission will collect the first 3D images of their kind.
- The satellites were built at Goddard Space Center (Washington, DC) and traveled to Kennedy Space Center (Florida).