May 2, 2024

EZIE Does It: NASA’s Next Step in Unraveling Earth’s Electrifying Space Connections

” We are thrilled for what we will gain from EZIE,” stated Peg Luce acting director of NASAs Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “This objective will deepen our knowledge of the Sun-Earth connection and help us better comprehend the electrical currents that link stunning aurora to Earths magnetosphere. This is critical because the very same area weather phenomena that power the incredible aurora can cause disturbance with radio and communication signals and utility grids in the worlds surface, and damage to spacecraft in orbit.”
Slated to launch no earlier than 2024, EZIE will send out a trio of SmallSats to study the auroral electrojets, which are electrical currents streaming 60-90 miles (95-145 kilometers) above Earths poles and are simply a little portion of the enormous electrical current that flows between Earths magnetosphere and the planet. Credit: NASA
For more on this news, see NASAs EZIE To Unveil the Charged Link Between Earth and Space.
Monetary support for EZIE is supplied by the Heliophysics Explorers Program, managed by the Explorers Program Office situated at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The objective is led by APL, responsible for creating, building, and managing EZIE, while working together with JPL and Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT).

The Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE)– is a SmallSat objective that will characterize the electrical currents that connect Earths aurora to the worlds magnetosphere. This illustration reveals the 3 EZIE spacecraft orbiting above the aurora at one of Earths poles Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Steve Gribben
NASAs Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE) has passed its critical style review, continuing track for a 2024 launch. The objective will provide unique imaging of electrical currents in between Earth and space, improving our understanding of area weather phenomena and their effect on Earth.
On March 23, 2023, NASAs Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE) successfully passed its vital design review, marking a significant milestone for the job and keeping it on rate for a set up launch next year.
EZIE will offer never ever before seen imaging of the electrical currents that connect our world and the surrounding space.