MVSE Mission Phase A/0 Study: A Proposal for Understanding the Dynamics of Induced Magnetospheres

The dynamics of induced magnetospheres raise several unsolved questions. Among the most pressing is the interaction between the solar wind and induced magnetospheres, and the corresponding changes in magnetospheric structure and variation in heating processes. Furthermore, the reactions of an induced magnetosphere to solar eruptive events such as interplanetary coronal mass ejections, corotating interaction regions and solar flares are not well understood. The Magnetospheric Venus Space Explorers (MVSE) mission is designed to fill this gap by studying how the Sun drives the dynamics of the induced Venusian magnetosphere. Venus is an ideal laboratory for this due to its proximity to the Sun, similarity to Earth, and its accessibility. Investigating the induced Venusian magnetosphere enables direct comparisons with Earth’s active magnetosphere and other induced ones, such as those of several other planets, moons and comets. This complements former missions like Venus Express (VEX) and Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO) by filling data and knowledge gaps, hence improving magnetospheric modeling.

 

Figure 1: Orbits of the three scientific spacecraft and transfer/communication spacecraft around Venus facilitating simultaneous measurements in solar wind, bow shock and magnetotail

Three identical spin-stabilised scientific spacecraft equipped with in-situ plasma instrumentation are deployed in resonant orbits around Venus by a transfer stage, which then further operates as a communication relay station. With a phase difference of 180° relative to each other, two scientific spacecraft orbit Venus circularly with a 20 h period (r = 6 Venusian radii R_V). The third spacecraft is in a resonant inner elliptical orbit with a 10 h period (pericythe = 1.3 R_V; apocythe = 6 R_V) . This configuration enables simultaneous measurements in three regions of interest (ROIs): i) up and ii) downstream the bow shock, as well as iii) in the magnetotail. In these ROIs, the magnetic field, the electric field and the ion-electron distribution functions are measured. To observe at least 10 coronal mass ejection events, a mission duration of three years around the solar maximum is planned.

Figure 2: Spacecraft stack consisting of one tansfer/communications vehicle and three scientific spacecraft

The concept of the MVSE mission was developed during ESA’s Alpbach Summer School 2022. It has been refined by adapting the concurrent engineering method during the Post Alpbach Summer School Event 2022. A total of 32 students from both engineering and science backgrounds worked on the mission with appreciated advice from experts of ESA and academia.