# Firewheel

> This spacecraft was designed to make barium and lithium ion releases in the night magnetosphere

**Wikidata**: [Q113273996](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113273996)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/firewheel

## Summary
Firewheel was a spacecraft launched on May 23, 1980, designed to study the Earth's magnetosphere by releasing barium and lithium ions. It was launched from Kourou aboard an Ariane rocket. The mission is officially cataloged under the NSSDCA ID FIRE-A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Spacecraft (vehicle or machine designed to fly in space).
- **Launch Date:** May 23, 1980.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Ariane (European rocket family).
- **Launch Site:** Kourou.
- **Mission Identifier:** NSSDCA ID FIRE-A.
- **Primary Objective:** Designed to make barium and lithium ion releases.
- **Target Environment:** The night magnetosphere.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of the Firewheel spacecraft?
A: Firewheel was designed to release barium and lithium ions into the night magnetosphere. This process helps scientists study the behavior of magnetic fields and plasma in space.

### Q: When and where was Firewheel launched?
A: The spacecraft was launched on May 23, 1980, from Kourou.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Firewheel?
A: Firewheel was launched using an Ariane rocket, which is part of a European rocket family.

## Why It Matters
Firewheel represents a specific category of scientific mission focused on active experimentation rather than passive observation. By deliberately releasing barium and lithium ions, the spacecraft allowed researchers to create artificial plasma clouds in the night magnetosphere. These releases serve as tracers, enabling the mapping of magnetic field lines and the study of plasma dynamics in a way that passive sensors cannot achieve.

The mission is also significant regarding its launch context. Utilizing the Ariane rocket family from the Kourou spaceport, Firewheel was part of the early operational era of the European launch vehicle program. The data gathered from the ion releases contributes to the broader understanding of magnetospheric physics, specifically regarding how ion clouds interact with the ambient magnetic environment. As a distinct entity with the NSSDCA ID FIRE-A, the mission stands as a documented example of early 1980s magnetospheric research.

## Notable For
- **Active Plasma Release:** Unlike standard observation satellites, it actively injected barium and lithium ions into the environment.
- **Night Magnetosphere Focus:** It specifically targeted the night side of Earth's magnetic field for its experiments.
- **Ariane Launch Integration:** It served as a payload for the Ariane rocket family, a major component of European space infrastructure.

## Body

### Mission Specifications
Firewheel is formally classified as a spacecraft designed to operate in the space environment. The mission is identified in space catalogues via the NSSDCA ID **FIRE-A**. Its design and function are centered around the release of specific chemical elements to alter and observe the local space environment.

### Launch and Deployment
The spacecraft began its journey on **May 23, 1980**. The launch was conducted from **Kourou**, a primary spaceport. The delivery system used was the **Ariane** rocket, which is identified as a European rocket family. This places the Firewheel mission within the timeline of early Ariane operations.

### Scientific Objectives
The core function of Firewheel was to perform **barium and lithium ion releases**. These experiments were conducted specifically within the **night magnetosphere**. The interaction of these ions with the magnetic field allows for the measurement of electric and magnetic properties of the magnetosphere, providing insight into space weather and magnetic field structures.