NASA’s STORIE mission will provide a unique, inside-out view of the ring current, a doughnut-shaped region of charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field, from its perch on the International Space Station.
NASA's STORIE (Storm Time O+ Ring current Imaging Evolution) mission is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX's 34th Commercial Resupply Services mission. The instrument will be mounted to the exterior of the ISS as part of the Space Test Program Houston 11 (STP-H11) payload, a partnership between NASA and the U.S. Space Force under the Department of Defense's Space Test Program.
Mission Overview
The STORIE instrument will study the ring current by observing energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) emitted when charged particles interact with Earth's exosphere. It will provide an inside-out view, scanning outward from the space station to capture the ring current's composition and dynamics.
The launch date has been reported as "as soon as May 12" on SpaceX's 34th Commercial Resupply Services mission. Once installed on the station's exterior, the instrument will study the ring current over a planned six-month period.
“STORIE will orbit Earth every 90 minutes, observing the ring current from multiple angles to build a complete picture of its behavior.”
Scientific Objectives
Particle Origin and Composition
- Determine whether ring current particles originate from the solar wind or Earth's atmosphere
- Focus on positively charged oxygen atoms (O+), which originate from Earth's atmosphere rather than the solar wind
- Study the ring current's particle population buildup—whether it occurs gradually or in bursts
Ring Current Dynamics
- Observe how the ring current changes in size, shape, and intensity during solar storms
- Monitor ring current evolution over six months, comparing behavior during solar storms and quiet periods
- Build a complete picture of the ring current approximately every 90 minutes as the ISS orbits
Space Weather Impacts
- Assess the impact of the ring current on satellites, power grids, and other infrastructure
- Study how the ring current contributes to satellite drag by heating and expanding the upper atmosphere
Technical Details
- STORIE will measure energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) that escape the ring current when charged particles capture electrons from Earth's exosphere
- The instrument focuses on positively charged oxygen atoms (O+), which originate from Earth's atmosphere rather than the solar wind
- Previous missions (IMAGE, TWINS) provided limited views of the ring current; STORIE provides an inside-out view from the ISS, observing near the equator with reduced interference from Earth's ultraviolet light
- The instrument will orbit Earth every 90 minutes, observing the ring current from multiple angles
Background
The ring current consists of low-energy charged particles that create electrical currents. It overlaps with the outer Van Allen radiation belt but contains lower-energy particles. During solar storms, fluctuations in the ring current can cause magnetic disturbances and induced currents on the ground, potentially affecting pipelines and power lines. It can also contribute to satellite charging and increased atmospheric drag.
Changes in the ring current affect Earth's response to solar storms and can disrupt technology. The ring current contains lower-energy particles than the Van Allen radiation belts and fluctuates more dramatically during solar storms.
Partnerships
The STORIE mission is part of the Space Test Program - Houston 11 (STP-H11) payload, a partnership between the U.S. Space Force and NASA. The payload is being launched as part of NASA's Commercial Resupply Services program.