Satellite Observations of Strong Plasma Wave Emissions with Frequency Shifts Induced by an Engine Burn from the Cygnus Spacecraft

A new discovery was made using the radio receiver instrument on the Canadian enhanced polar outflow probe (e-POP) showing that strong plasma wave emissions (SPWE) are seen near 17 kHz and 300 Hz. The frequency of these emissions are affected by small injections of neutral gas from the Cygnus spacecraft. The technique of using a 150 g/s thruster to change frequencies and intensities of plasma waves has provided evidence that a finite k z lower hybrid mode may the source of the SPWE waves. SPWE observations in space are a sensitive diagnostic tool to measure both natural and manmade changes in the earth's ion composition.