NASA's loaf-sized CuPID CubeSat to probe Earth-Sun magnetic field mystery; Sept 23 launch

NASA has anunced that its preparations to bid farewell to CuPID Cubesat are nearing completion as date of its launch approaches, scheduled for September 23. Named Cusp Plasma Imaging Detector (CuPID), miniature CubeSat is larger than a loaf of bre and heavier than a watermelon. satellite will hitch a ride on United Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 rocket carrying Landsat 9 that will launch from Vandenberg Force Base in California, under a joint mission of NASA and U.S. Geological Survey, said NASA's official website. 

Significance of CuPID Cubesat

CuPID is tasked with imaging  boundary where Earth’s magnetic field interacts with Sun’s, from an orbit of about 550 kilometers above Earth’s surface. satellite will be deployed on edge of magnetosphere, a protective covering that is produced by Earth’s magnetic field. magnetosphere is considered extremely crucial as it shields our planet from Sun’s riation. However, some of riation comes trickling toward us, potentially putting satellites and astronauts in harm’s way. Earth’s magnetosphere also changes shape, due to 'magnetic reconnection, when Sun's activity increases.

Brian Walsh, assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering at Boston University and CuPID’s principal investigator, explained that CuPID will help us kw what boundary of Earth’s magnetic field looks like, and understand how and why energy sometimes gets in. satellite is equipped with a wide field-of-view soft X-ray camera that observes lower-energy, or “soft” X-rays emitted when solar particles collide with Earth’s magnetosphere, and provides a wide field-view. As per NASA, building such a camera that reflects or “bounces” X-rays into focus was most challenging task as CuPID seeks a macro view.

CuPID CubeSat is outcome of 16 long years of hard work by scientists, engineers, technicians and students at Goddard and Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia's Wallops Island, said NASA. satellite will be launched aboard  rocket with three or miniature satellites as se CubeSats can share a rocket for distinct research projects. companies prefer CubeSats as y significantly bring down mission costs but offer high rewards. 

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