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Description
The French astronomer Jean Picard was the first to make physical measurements of the Sun's radius in the 17th century. In the modern era, from 2010 to 2014, instruments on board the Picard microsatellite allowed for extremely accurate data on the Sun's radius, rotation speed, polar oblateness, and radiated power. This allowed us to learn more about the internal structure of our Sun and its impact on Earth's climate. Atmospheric turbulence has hampered ground-based astronomy since the beginning of scientific observations and has only ended with experiments conducted on board satellites. On the other hand, solar physicists know that only long time series of observations will reveal variations in the parameters of the Sun. On the other hand, space observatories such as SOHO are still a rarity in solar physics.
The report develops a design for a 3U CubSat satellite for simultaneous measurements of the Sun's diameter, its differential rotation and the solar constant. The optimal flight duration is discussed - up to 2 years maximum, in order to study the nature of the variability of these parameters and their mutual relationships. The satellite will have a weight of up to 3 kg and a payload of 2 kg, consisting of 3 optical instruments, which will provide measurements of the Sun's diameter and shape, measurement of total solar energy and energy in the UV range.
It is planned that the satellite will be positioned in a low Earth orbit, have an operational life of one and a half years, after which it will be replaced by an identical one in the same low Earth orbit. This allows for the duration of the mission in time, given the low cost of the satellite and its launch costs. The mission will provide valuable data on the Sun's diameter, rotation, and radiation, and will provide ground-based observations to validate observations from near-Earth space.
The main scientific objectives to be achieved with the satellite mission include:
-Confirmation of diameter variations (and validation of ground-based measurements and their accuracy);
-Establishment of the diameter/global radiance/differential rotation relationship;
-Measurement of the oblateness and shape of the Sun to a high order.
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