# SWARM C

> satellite for studying Earth's magnetic field

**Wikidata**: [Q29565641](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29565641)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/swarm-c

## Summary  
SWARM C is a satellite launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) to study Earth's magnetic field as part of the Swarm mission. It was deployed on November 22, 2013, aboard a Russian Rokot rocket and operates at an altitude of 530 kilometers. The satellite provides critical data to improve understanding of Earth's magnetosphere and its impacts on climate, technology, and geological processes.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: November 22, 2013.  
- **Part of**: ESA's Swarm mission, a constellation of three satellites (Swarm A, B, and C).  
- **Manufacturer**: Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space).  
- **Mass**: 468 kilograms.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2013-067C.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 39453.  
- **Altitude**: 530 kilometers above sea level.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Rokot (Russian launch vehicle).  
- **Primary Function**: Monitoring Earth's magnetic field as a geomagnetic satellite.  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was SWARM C launched?  
A: SWARM C was launched on November 22, 2013, aboard a Rokot rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.  

### Q: What is the purpose of SWARM C?  
A: SWARM C studies Earth's magnetic field to gather data on its structure, variations, and interactions with the solar wind, supporting research in geophysics, climate science, and space weather.  

### Q: How does SWARM C differ from other satellites?  
A: SWARM C is part of a trio of identical satellites in the ESA Swarm mission, designed to operate in a specific orbital configuration to provide high-resolution measurements of Earth's magnetic field.  

## Why It Matters  
SWARM C plays a vital role in advancing scientific understanding of Earth's magnetic field, a critical component of the planet's protective shield against solar radiation. By working in tandem with Swarm A and B, SWARM C enables detailed mapping of the magnetosphere, which influences satellite operations, power grids, and navigation systems. Its data helps scientists study geological processes, such as core dynamics, and contributes to long-term climate models. The mission addresses fundamental questions about Earth's interior and exterior processes, ensuring practical applications in environmental monitoring and space weather forecasting.  

## Notable For  
- **Constellation Mission**: Operates as one of three satellites in the ESA Swarm fleet, providing synergistic data through coordinated orbits.  
- **High-Altitude Orbit**: Conducts measurements at 530 km altitude, complementing lower-orbiting satellites in the Swarm network.  
- **Advanced Instrumentation**: Equipped with sensors to detect magnetic field variations with unprecedented precision.  
- **International Collaboration**: Developed by ESA with contributions from European space agencies and scientific institutions.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
SWARM C is a geomagnetic satellite and part of the ESA Swarm mission, launched to investigate Earth's magnetic field and its temporal variations. The satellite operates in a polar orbit at 530 km altitude, focusing on high-latitude regions where the magnetic field interacts with the solar wind.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass**: 468 kg.  
- **Manufacturer**: Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space).  
- ** Instruments**: Includes vector and scalar magnetometers, GPS receivers, and electric field sensors.  
- **Power**: Solar panels with battery backup for continuous operation.  

### Launch Details  
- **Date**: November 22, 2013.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Rokot (a Russian light-lift launch vehicle).  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2013-067C.  

### Scientific Contributions  
SWARM C generates high-resolution maps of Earth's magnetic field, enabling researchers to analyze its evolution over time. Key areas of study include:  
- **Core Dynamics**: Understanding fluid motion in Earth's outer core.  
- **Crustal Magnetism**: Mapping geological structures and mineral deposits.  
- **Space Weather**: Monitoring solar wind interactions and geomagnetic storms.  
- **Climate Links**: Investigating connections between magnetic field changes and atmospheric processes.  

### Operational Status  
As of the last update, SWARM C remains operational, extending its mission lifespan beyond initial plans. The satellite periodically adjusts its orbit to maintain formation with the Swarm constellation, ensuring consistent data collection.  

### Data Access  
SWARM C's data is publicly available through the ESA Earth Observation portal, supporting research across geophysics, oceanography, and climate science. The mission has produced over a decade of continuous magnetic field observations, forming a critical baseline for future studies.

## References

1. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=2013-067C)
2. Jonathan's Space Report