Specialist Discussion Meeting:
Geomagnetic Exploration of Earth from Space Using Swarm and MSS-1: Scientific Advances and Future Plans
We aim to bring together international geomagnetic researchers to discuss the latest data and scientific advances based on ESA’s trio of Swarm satellites, launched in 2013, and the twin satellites of Macau Science Satellite-1, launched in 2023. Through polar orbits and global coverage of the geomagnetic field, Swarm’s goal is to better understand whole-Earth processes: the geodynamo, the lithosphere, mantle conductivity and global currents in the magnetosphere and ionosphere. By contrast, through low-inclination orbits, MSS-1 maps the equatorial geomagnetic field and local-time phenomena, seeking to better understand the South Atlantic Anomaly, the equatorial lithosphere, and space-weather hazards.
Although each mission is scientifically valuable in its own right, taken together they offer new opportunities for synergistic scientific exploration of our magnetic environment. The meeting will also discuss possibilities for collaboration and engagement based around additional forthcoming geomagnetic missions: Macau Science Satellite-2 (planned launch 2026), ESA’s Nanomagsat (planned launch 2027), the MagQuest teams’ cubesats (planned launch 2026-2027), as well as other ongoing missions whose spacecraft carry a magnetometer.
Organiser:
Phil Livermore
