MISSION OVERVIEW

Cluster will always be the first constellation of four spacecraft flying in formation around Earth. 

Since 2000, they relay the most detailed information about how the solar wind affects our planet in three dimensions. The solar wind (the perpetual stream of subatomic particles expelled by the Sun) can damage communications satellites and power stations on Earth.

Science output from Cluster is a leap forward in our knowledge of space plasma physics, science behind space weather and the Sun-Earth connection. It has been key in improving the modelling of the magnetosphere and understanding its various physical processes. 

Cluster and Double Star data have enabled the publication of more than 3800 publications, including more than 3300 refereed papers and 120 PhD, and counting.

 For more information on the Cluster project visit:

See Seas of the Sun: the story of Cluster, ESA documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go_rve555TQ.

 

Timeline of the regions crossed

Various separations of the Cluster satellites constellation have been performed to target the numerous scientific objectives of the mission. Please find below a timeline of these separations together with their main targeted space regions (see also http://sci.esa.int/cluster/23160-constellation-geometry-over-time/).

List of electric field (EFW) internal burst modes since launch.

Note that lists of WBD operations are available in the CSA under WBD > Ancillary > WBD Coverage.

The table below includes brief details about Guest Investigator (GI) campaigns; details can be found here.