Opportunities for space station wave experiments

Plans are underway to implement the Solar-Terrestrial Observatory on the Space Station in the 1990's. As conceived now, the Solar-Terrestrial Observatory includes a cluster of instruments for observing solar activity attached to the Manned Station, a cluster of instruments for remotely observing the terrestrial atmosphere attached to the Polar Platform, and clusters of instruments to make in-situ measurements of the ionospheric plasma on all elements of the Space Station. In addition, small satellite probes are to make additional measurements of natural phenomena and induced plasma perturbations at locations remote from the Space Station elements. During the early implementation of the Solar-Terrestrial Observatory, waves can be produced by several means -- a VLF-HF wave transmitter with a 300 meter tip-tip dipole antenna at KW continuous power, a dc and modulated electron accelerator with a beam power of 1KW, and a 20Km electrodynamic tether which can be modulated to HF at 10's KW power all attached to the Manned Station. A smaller electron accelerator at 1 KW, modulated to HF is to be attached to the Polar Platform. Waves can also be stimulated by the release of chemicals at locations remote from the Station elements. Wave and particle diagnostics are to exist on all Station elements and on the small satellite probes.