TGF and TLE observations from Small Satellite Constellation

Small satellites may be used effectively for Earth observations, in particular Atmosphere transient phenomena, such as Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) and Transient Luminous Events (TLEs). In the frame of Universat-SOCRAT multi-satellite project these phenomena will be observed with number of instruments on board small satellites. Full-blown constellation should be consisted from three basic small spacecraft, added by complementary satellites of Cubesat type. It is planned that one of them will be a joint development of Lomonosov Moscow State University and Aserbaijshan National Aviation Academy. The most of constellation satellites should be launched on solar-synchronous low altitude orbits (400-600 km) that provides the favourable conditions for the study of TGFs and TLEs from different areas of the Earth Atmosphere including near Equatorial and Polar regions.

Study of TGFs and TLEs still remains very important despite a lot of data obtained about such phenomena in recent time. The main reason is the absence of sufficiently complete theoretical understating of physical nature of high energy processes in the Earth atmosphere. The complex observations in different electromagnetic wave bands with good accuracy of event source localization are necessary. Just, the satellite constellation is quite appropriate for the last. Advanced instruments for observations of TGFs and TLEs will be also presented.