Univertity of California, Berkeley   Austrian Academy of Sciences   Centre d'�tude des Environnements Terrestre et Plan�taires  

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory NASA Goddard Space Flight Center  Swales Aerospace

 

Technical University Carolo-Wilhelmina at Brunswick University of Alberta University of Calgary

University of California, Los Angeles THEMIS E/PO Site University of Colorado, Boulder

 

THEMIS answers fundamental outstanding questions regarding the magnetospheric substorm instability, a dominant mechanism of transport and explosive release of solar wind energy within Geospace.  THEMIS will elucidate which magnetotail process is responsible for substorm onset at the region where substorm auroras map (~10Re): (i) a local disruption of the plasma sheet current or (ii) that current's interaction with the rapid influx of plasma emanating from lobe flux annihilation at ~25Re. Correlative observations from long-baseline (2-25 Re) probe conjunctions, will delineate the causal relationship and macroscale interaction between the substorm components. THEMIS's five identical probes measure particles and fields on orbits which optimize tail-aligned conjunctions over North America.  Ground observatories time auroral breakup onset. Three inner probes at ~10Re monitor current disruption onset, while two outer probes, at 20 and 30Re respectively, remotely monitor plasma acceleration due to lobe flux dissipation. In addition to addressing its primary objective, THEMIS answers critical questions in radiation belt physics and solar wind - magnetosphere energy coupling. THEMIS's probes use flight-proven instruments and subsystems, yet demonstrate spacecraft design strategies ideal for Constellation class missions. THEMIS is complementary to MMS and a science and a technology pathfinder for future STP missions. THEMIS will be launched February, 2007.
THEMIS was successfully launched at 6:01 pm  EST, February 17, 2007.

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The Delta II starts it's journey to orbit. Pad 17B was originally configured for the Delta III vehicle which flew 3 times before the Delta IV replaced it.. Modified flame deflectors cause this billowing of smoke and steam around the Delta II's launched from this pad. Climbing out of the smoke and steam, the vehicle seems to be embraced by the flames.
 

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Almost obscured, the vehicle rises. The tops of the solid rocket boosters can be seen rising from the smoke. From the inferno Delta II/THEMIS rise.
 

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Inching upwards, the vehicle passes it's launch tower. Scorched but unhurt, the vehicle climbs out of the smoke, steam and flame. Almost clear of the tower, Delta II/THEMIS rise.