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Geotail

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description Geotail Overview

Geotail was a joint Japanese and United States space mission launched in 1992 to investigate Earth's magnetosphere, especially the long magnetotail formed on the night side by interaction with the solar wind. The spacecraft measured magnetic fields, electric fields, plasma, and energetic particles while operating in changing Earth orbits. Its observations supported research into magnetic reconnection, auroras, and the transfer of energy through near-Earth space before operations ended in 2022.

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What was the Geotail mission?

Geotail was a joint mission between Japan's ISAS (now part of JAXA) and NASA, launched on 24 July 1992 to study Earth's magnetosphere. Its special focus was the long magnetotail stretched out on the night side of Earth by the solar wind.

What did Geotail study in the magnetotail?

Its instruments measured magnetic fields, electric fields, plasma and energetic particles to understand phenomena such as magnetic reconnection, the process that converts magnetic energy into particle energy during substorms. Its elongated orbit carried it far down the tail to sample regions earlier missions rarely reached.

When did the Geotail mission end?

Operations ended in November 2022 after thirty years in service, following degradation of the spacecraft's power and data systems. That made it one of the longest-running magnetospheric missions ever flown.

Was Geotail part of a larger fleet of science missions?

Yes, it became part of the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics program alongside missions such as NASA's Wind and Polar spacecraft and the ESA/NASA SOHO observatory. Together they studied the Sun-Earth connection from multiple vantage points.

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