News

  • Plasma-F: Three and a half month in orbit
    18 November 2011

    Dr. G.N. Zastenker, leading researcher, IKI RAS

    More than three months have passed since 'Plasma-F' payload aboard Russian astrophysical satellite SPECTR-R was switched on.

    Among various phenomena, having occurred during this period (August 08 – November 05), of particular interest was extremely sharp disturbance of solar wind which reached the Earth on September 9, 2011 and was registered by BMSW plasma spectrometer.

  • Interplanetary shock detected by BMSW on September 9, 2011
    31 October 2011

    Interplanetary shock on September 9,  2011 was observed by Spektr-R as well as by SOHO, Wind and ACE spacecraft.

  • "Data" section added to the site
    7 October 2011

    Public domain results of the Plasma-F instruments Level-2 data processing and auxiliary (orbital and attitude) data will be published  in  the  "Data" section of the site

  • BMSW plasma spectrometer has registered events during the magnetic storm
    6 August 2011

    As to the night from August 5th to August 6th a strong disturbance of the interplanetary magnetic field reached the Earth, thus instigating the beginning of an intense magnetic storm. The BMSV plasma spectrometer was unfortunately switched off for data analysis after the commencment and resumed observations in the morning, August 6th. Even though it has registered plasma disturbances in the 'tail' of the magnetic storm.

  • BMSW plasma spectrometer was successfully switched on
    5 August 2011

    BMSW plasma spectrometer was successfully switched on. As by now all instruments of Plasma-F complex are operating.

  • The MMFF Magnetometer switching-on took place
    31 July 2011

    The MMFF Magnetometer switching-on took place. The device operates well.

  • MEP was successfully switched on
    30 July 2011

    Energetic Particles Detector MEP was successfully switched on. The device operates properly.

  • The initial switch on of the Plasma-F
    25 July 2011

    The initial switch on of the Plasma-F scientific complex was performed successfully.

  • “Spectr-R” spaceraft was successfully launched
    18 July 2011

    “Spectr-R” spaceraft was successfully launched on July 18 at 6.31 a.m. Moscow time by the “Zenit-M” space rocket with the “Fregat-SB” upper stage and was inserted into the elliptic orbit. The solar panels and magnetometer bar have been deployed, the service system is operating properly. The first connection with the “Plasma-F” complex is scheduled for July 25 and the instruments will be put into operating mode within 2 weeks.