The Tiny Ionospheric Photometer (TIP) on the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC/FORMOSAT‐3)

The Tiny Ionospheric Photometer (TIP) is an ultraviolet nadir-viewing photometer that flew aboard the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC also known as FORMOSAT-3), which was launched on April 14, 2006. One TIP flew on each of the six COSMIC/FORMOSAT3 satellites; these compact instruments operated exclusively at nighttime and observed the O I 135.6 nm emission that is a signature of the decay of the F-region ionosphere and, as such, is a diagnostic of the ionospheric state. We describe the TIP instruments and their on-orbit operation. Additionally, some key science highlights of the mission are presented and discussed.