About this Research Topic
CubeSats have revolutionized the landscape of innovative research, spanning a wide variety of topics from monitoring Earth and Van Allen Belts to Gamma-ray and X-ray astrophysics. They have democratized the field of space research, giving easy access to space to the scientific community.
Their compact design makes them optimal instruments for studying low-energy particles trapped within the Van Allen belts. When deployed in constellations, CubeSats enable simultaneous data collection at multiple locations, providing valuable insights into the spatial and temporal fluctuations of trapped radiation. This, in turn, gives scientists several data to elaborate more precise models and predictions for space weather.
Furthermore, these little satellites are gaining favor as building blocks for Gamma-ray and X-ray telescope arrays, specialized for detecting low-energy gamma-rays and x-ray in the keV-MeV energy range. Their relatively modest cost permits the deployment of numerous CubeSats equipped with complementary instruments, increasing the coverage and the scientific returns of each mission.
CubeSats present clear advantages when compared with large-scale space missions, primarily due to their size, cost-effectiveness, expedited development schedules and easy access to space. These advantages make them an ideal platform for validating new technologies and approaches for particle physics in space.
The primary objective of this Research Topic is to shed light on the transformative impact of CubeSats in the field of particle physics in space . These miniaturized satellites have led to a new era of innovation, enabling a broad spectrum of scientific investigations through collaborative efforts, ranging from monitoring the Van Allen Belts to deep space exploration.
This Research Topic will focus into several key areas, including CubeSat missions designed to study the dynamics of the Van Allen Belts and their trapped particles, as well as their role in detecting X-ray and Gamma-ray Bursts within the keV-MeV energy range. Moreover, it will explore novel CubeSat mission designs that showcase how these nanosatellites can act as pathfinders, validating new space technologies through collaborative efforts.
The aim is to address new challenges by fostering collaborative efforts that leverage the interaction between space weather and cosmic ray physics. The focus will be on evaluating the current status and future prospects of CubeSat missions, in particular their application in particle and X/Gamma-ray physics within the field of space exploration.
Specific themes for the Research Topic are:
• CubeSat Missions for Space Exploration: Manuscripts discussing CubeSat missions focused on exploring our solar system, studying celestial bodies, and advancing our understanding of deep space.
• CubeSats and Earth Observation: Articles that highlight the role of CubeSats in monitoring Earth's atmosphere, ionosphere and magnetosphere.
• CubeSats in Astrophysics: Research papers exploring how CubeSats are being used to study stars, galaxies, and cosmic phenomena, including their role in Gamma-Ray Burst detection and cosmic ray research.
• CubeSats for Low-Energy Particle Physics: Manuscripts focusing on CubeSat missions dedicated to the study of low-energy particles trapped in the geomagnetic field.
• CubeSats and Space Weather: Articles discussing CubeSats' role in studying space weather, including their applications in monitoring the Van Allen Belts, solar radiation, and geomagnetic storms.
• Collaborative CubeSat Initiatives: Submissions highlighting collaborative efforts between institutions, countries, and organizations in CubeSat missions and research.
• Validation of New Space Technologies: Manuscripts showcasing CubeSats as platforms for testing and validating emerging space technologies and methodologies.
Their compact design makes them optimal instruments for studying low-energy particles trapped within the Van Allen belts. When deployed in constellations, CubeSats enable simultaneous data collection at multiple locations, providing valuable insights into the spatial and temporal fluctuations of trapped radiation. This, in turn, gives scientists several data to elaborate more precise models and predictions for space weather.
Furthermore, these little satellites are gaining favor as building blocks for Gamma-ray and X-ray telescope arrays, specialized for detecting low-energy gamma-rays and x-ray in the keV-MeV energy range. Their relatively modest cost permits the deployment of numerous CubeSats equipped with complementary instruments, increasing the coverage and the scientific returns of each mission.
CubeSats present clear advantages when compared with large-scale space missions, primarily due to their size, cost-effectiveness, expedited development schedules and easy access to space. These advantages make them an ideal platform for validating new technologies and approaches for particle physics in space.
The primary objective of this Research Topic is to shed light on the transformative impact of CubeSats in the field of particle physics in space . These miniaturized satellites have led to a new era of innovation, enabling a broad spectrum of scientific investigations through collaborative efforts, ranging from monitoring the Van Allen Belts to deep space exploration.
This Research Topic will focus into several key areas, including CubeSat missions designed to study the dynamics of the Van Allen Belts and their trapped particles, as well as their role in detecting X-ray and Gamma-ray Bursts within the keV-MeV energy range. Moreover, it will explore novel CubeSat mission designs that showcase how these nanosatellites can act as pathfinders, validating new space technologies through collaborative efforts.
The aim is to address new challenges by fostering collaborative efforts that leverage the interaction between space weather and cosmic ray physics. The focus will be on evaluating the current status and future prospects of CubeSat missions, in particular their application in particle and X/Gamma-ray physics within the field of space exploration.
Specific themes for the Research Topic are:
• CubeSat Missions for Space Exploration: Manuscripts discussing CubeSat missions focused on exploring our solar system, studying celestial bodies, and advancing our understanding of deep space.
• CubeSats and Earth Observation: Articles that highlight the role of CubeSats in monitoring Earth's atmosphere, ionosphere and magnetosphere.
• CubeSats in Astrophysics: Research papers exploring how CubeSats are being used to study stars, galaxies, and cosmic phenomena, including their role in Gamma-Ray Burst detection and cosmic ray research.
• CubeSats for Low-Energy Particle Physics: Manuscripts focusing on CubeSat missions dedicated to the study of low-energy particles trapped in the geomagnetic field.
• CubeSats and Space Weather: Articles discussing CubeSats' role in studying space weather, including their applications in monitoring the Van Allen Belts, solar radiation, and geomagnetic storms.
• Collaborative CubeSat Initiatives: Submissions highlighting collaborative efforts between institutions, countries, and organizations in CubeSat missions and research.
• Validation of New Space Technologies: Manuscripts showcasing CubeSats as platforms for testing and validating emerging space technologies and methodologies.
Keywords: Gamma-Ray, astroparticle, space weather, satellites, space detectors, ionosphere, magnetosphere, Van Allen Belts, Solar physics, CubeSat
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.
