Editing CASSIOPE (section)

==Spacecraft==
CASSIOPE is a {{convert|500|kg|lb|abbr=on}} [[small satellite]] that is {{convert|180|cm|ft|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|125|cm|ft|abbr=on}} high. It combines the function of two distinct missions in order to be more cost-effective and [[risk management|reduce risk]].<ref name=pa20130910/>

The spacecraft carries a primary payload of two instrument suites: the Cascade [[commercial spaceflight|commercial]] [[communications system]] and a scientific payload named e-POP.

===Cascade===
The commercial payload, named Cascade, is a [[technology demonstration|technology demonstrator]] courier in the sky, aimed at providing a [[proof of concept]] for a [[digital data|digital]] [[broadband]] courier service for commercial use.  Built by MDA, the operational concept is to receive very large data files as the satellite orbits the globe, [[digital storage|store]] them onboard temporarily, then deliver them at a later time to nearly any destination worldwide.<ref name=pa20130910/>

The demonstrator will provide a secure digital [[store and forward|store-and-forward]] file delivery service, exploiting the fact that CASSIOPE passes over much of the globe 15 times per day.  It has been described{{by whom|date=September 2013}} as a courier service, with the customers using a small parabolic antenna of one or two meters (three or six feet) to upload or download files at a rate of 1.2 gigabits per second. The storage capacity will be between 50 and 500 gigabytes and the data delivery time will be about 90 minutes, depending on the pickup and deposit points on the globe.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}}

===e-POP===
The e-POP portion of CASSIOPE is a suite of eight scientific instruments. The [[University of Calgary]]'s Institute for Space Research leads the science project, while MDA is the prime contractor for the mission including launch and operation of the spacecraft. The orbital science mission is scheduled for a 21-month duration.<ref name=ucalgary2013/>

e-POP will gather data on [[Geomagnetic storm|Solar storms]] in the upper atmosphere.  These storms give rise to the [[polar aurora]] or northern lights seen in the skies in northern latitudes.  While these atmospheric glows may offer a thrilling night time spectacle, the inducing radiation can interfere with radio communications, [[GPS]] navigation, and other space-based systems.{{Citation needed|date=February 2013}} The eight scientific instruments aboard CASSIOPE will help scientists understand solar weather and eventually plan for measures to mitigate its deleterious effects.<ref name=srcf20120626/>

The e-POP payload contains eight scientific instruments:<ref name=epopUcalgary>{{cite web |url=http://epop.phys.ucalgary.ca/payload.html |title=e-POP Payload on CASSIOPE |publisher=University of Calgary |year=2013 |access-date=February 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031015603/http://epop.phys.ucalgary.ca/payload.html |archive-date=October 31, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Coherent electromagnetic radio tomography|Coherent EM Radio Tomography]] (CER), measuring radio propagation and ionospheric scintillation
*Fast Auroral Imager (FAI), measuring large-scale auroral emissions
*GPS Altitude and Profiling Experiment (GAP), high-precision position and attitude determination
*Imaging and Rapid Scanning Ion Mass Spectrometer (IRM), measuring the three-dimensional distribution of ions
*Fluxgate Magnetometer (MGF), high-precision magnetic field perturbation measurement
*Neutral Mass Spectrometer (NMS), measuring the mass, composition and velocity of neutral particles
*Radio Receiver Instrument (RRI), measuring radio wave propagation
*Suprathermal Electron Imager (SEI), measuring low-energy electron distribution