# Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere

> NASA satellite of the Explorer program

**Wikidata**: [Q381602](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q381602)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeronomy_of_Ice_in_the_Mesosphere)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aeronomy-of-ice-in-the-mesosphere

## Summary

Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere is an Earth observation satellite[1].

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere**:

---

## Summary  
The Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) is a NASA Earth observation satellite launched in 2007 as part of the Explorer program. It studies noctilucent clouds (night-shining clouds) in the mesosphere to understand their formation and connection to climate change. AIM is also designated as Explorer 90 and SMEX 9.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: April 25, 2007, aboard a Pegasus rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base.  
- **Mission Duration**: Designed for 26 months but operated for over 190 months (nearly 16 years) until battery failure in March 2023.  
- **Mass**: 197 kg (launch weight).  
- **Dimensions**: 109.2 cm (width) × 139.7 cm (height).  
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous orbit.  
- **Operators**: Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (spacecraft), Hampton University (project management), Virginia Tech (science administration).  
- **Manufacturers**: Orbital Sciences Corporation (spacecraft), LASP and Space Dynamics Laboratory (instruments).  
- **Power**: Solar arrays providing 243–335 watts average power.  
- **Instruments**: Solar Occultation for Ice Experiment (SOFIE), Cloud Imaging and Particle Size Experiment (CIPS), Cosmic Dust Experiment (CDE).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of the AIM mission?  
A: AIM studied noctilucent clouds in Earth's mesosphere to determine their causes and connections to atmospheric changes, including climate change.  

### Q: How long did AIM operate?  
A: AIM exceeded its 26-month design life, functioning for nearly 16 years until battery failure ended the mission in March 2023.  

### Q: What instruments did AIM carry?  
A: AIM carried three instruments: SOFIE (Solar Occultation for Ice Experiment), CIPS (Cloud Imaging and Particle Size Experiment), and CDE (Cosmic Dust Experiment).  

## Why It Matters  
AIM provided critical insights into noctilucent clouds, which form at extreme altitudes (~83 km) and are sensitive indicators of atmospheric changes. By studying these clouds, AIM helped scientists understand how greenhouse gases and solar activity affect Earth's upper atmosphere. The mission also contributed to climate models by revealing connections between mesospheric ice clouds and lower atmospheric processes. Its extended operation yielded a long-term dataset, enhancing our knowledge of space weather and atmospheric dynamics.  

## Notable For  
- **Longevity**: Operated for nearly 16 years, far exceeding its 26-month design life.  
- **Unique Focus**: First mission dedicated to studying noctilucent clouds and their climate connections.  
- **Collaborative Effort**: Involved multiple institutions, including NASA, Hampton University, and Virginia Tech.  
- **Innovative Instruments**: Featured specialized tools like SOFIE for solar occultation measurements and CIPS for cloud imaging.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
- Launched April 25, 2007, as part of NASA's Explorer program (designated Explorer 90 and SMEX 9).  
- Primary goal: Investigate noctilucent clouds and their relationship to atmospheric changes.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Spacecraft Bus**: LEOStar-2 (Star Bus).  
- **Power**: Solar arrays with 243–335 watts average output.  
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous at ~600 km altitude.  

### Instruments  
1. **Solar Occultation for Ice Experiment (SOFIE)**  
   - Built by Space Dynamics Laboratory.  
   - Measured atmospheric composition and cloud particles using solar occultation.  
2. **Cloud Imaging and Particle Size Experiment (CIPS)**  
   - Developed by LASP.  
   - Captured high-resolution images of noctilucent clouds.  
3. **Cosmic Dust Experiment (CDE)**  
   - Also built by LASP.  
   - Detected micrometeoroids and dust particles.  

### Mission Timeline  
- **2007**: Launch and commissioning.  
- **2007–2023**: Continuous data collection on mesospheric clouds.  
- **2023**: Mission ended due to battery failure.  

### Operators and Partners  
- **Lead Institutions**: NASA, Hampton University, Virginia Tech.  
- **Manufacturers**: Orbital Sciences Corporation (spacecraft), LASP and SDL (instruments).  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Satellite",
  "name": "Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere",
  "description": "NASA Earth observation satellite studying noctilucent clouds in the mesosphere.",
  "url": "https://aim.hamptonu.edu/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeronomy_of_Ice_in_the_Mesosphere"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Earth observation satellite",
  "operatingSystem": "Sun-synchronous orbit",
  "manufacturer": "Orbital Sciences Corporation"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/explorer_aim.htm)
2. [Source](http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/Publications/AIM_Fact.pdf)
3. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/aim#aim-aeronomy-of-ice-in-the-mesosphere)
4. [Source](https://aim.hamptonu.edu/instrmt/cips.html)
5. [Source](https://aim.hamptonu.edu/instrmt/cde.html)
6. [Source](https://aim.hamptonu.edu/instrmt/sofie.html)
7. Jonathan's Space Report
8. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/aim#spacecraft)
9. [Source](https://aim.hamptonu.edu/instrmt/m_p_d_rates.html)
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/aim#mission-status)
12. [Source](https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/night-shining-cloud-mission-ends-yields-high-science-results-for-nasa/)
13. [Source](https://aim.hamptonu.edu/mission/AIM_Fact_-2006-5-079-GSFC_color%201.pdf)