About this Research Topic
Space weather began impacting human society in the 19th century, when telegraphs first came into use. At present, space weather is becoming an increasingly important consideration for the operation of society, since humanity relies on advance telecommunication systems and other technologies involving satellites. All of these high-tech facilities are vulnerable to the hazard of space weather. As a result, studying and monitoring space weather, using both ground and space technology, has been implemented worldwide.
Recent advances in technology miniaturization have enabled the space industry to build small spacecraft (weighing less than 1000kg), for low cost and with decent reliability. Small‐satellite missions can both complement larger missions by filling gaps in time and/or coverage, and constitute stand‐alone missions with specific scientific and application targets. Constellations of dozens, hundreds, maybe even more small satellites could provide the information needed to monitor the vast space weather environment reaching from the surface of the sun almost to the surface of the Earth.
This Research Topic solicits contributions from researchers involved in space missions using small satellites to study space weather. Areas of study include the Sun, heliosphere, Earth’s magnetosphere, ionosphere and exosphere, and the collection will serve as a reference for the field.
We welcome contributions related to small satellite missions and related payloads. Papers targeting the following topics are welcome:
1. Reviews of past small satellite missions to study space weather;
2. Space and funding agency’s perspectives of small satellite missions to study space weather;
3. Introducing future small satellite missions to study space weather;
4. Introducing new concepts for small satellite missions or novel instrument to study space weather.
Keywords: space weather, small satellites, novel instruments
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
