AEPEX @ Nanosats Database

Name	AEPEX (Atmospheric Effects of Precipitation through Energetic X-rays)
Type	CubeSat
Units or mass	6U
Status	not launched, expected in 2024
Organisation	University of Colorado at Boulder
Institution	University
Entity	Academic / Education
Nation	US
Oneliner	Investigate electrons that fall into Earth’s atmosphere from the Van Allen radiation belts.
Description	Investigate electrons that fall into Earth’s atmosphere from the Van Allen radiation belts. These electrons interact with the atmosphere and have major implications for the atmospheric ozone balance. Scientific investigation mission that aims to better understand the influence of the magnetosphere on the Earth’s upper atmosphere through energetic particle precipitation (EPP). One of the key uncertainties in reaching closure on how EPP impacts the atmosphere is the lack of knowledge regarding how much energy is put into the atmosphere via EPP. To address this uncertainty, the primary objective of AEPEX is to quantify the energy deposition to the atmosphere from energetic particles that precipitate from the radiation belts and other sources.
Sources	[1] [2] [3]
Photo Sources	[1]

AEPEX (Atmospheric Effects of Precipitation through Energetic X-rays)