ELFIN - NASA Satellite

The Electron Losses and Fields Investigation, or ELFIN, studies one of the processes that allows energetic electrons to escape the Van Allen Belts and fall into Earth. When magnetic storms form in near-Earth space, they create waves that jiggle Earths magnetic field lines, kicking electrons out of the Van Allen Belts and down into our atmosphere. ELFIN aims to be the first to simultaneously observe this electron precipitation while also verifying the causal mechanism, measuring the magnetic waves and the resulting lost electrons.

ELFIN Mission Information

Mission Details

NameELFIN
Launch DateSeptember 15, 2018
Mission TypeUnmanned
TypeSatellite
Launch VehicleDelta II 7420
Launch SiteVandenberg AFB, United States

Satellite Details

ApplicationStudent-led investigation of a process that allows energetic electrons to escape Van Allen Belts and fall into Earth

Space Organization Details

CountryUnited States
ContinentNorth America
OrganizationNASA

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