The Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) Payload Facility on the ISS

ASIM is a payload facility to be mounted on a Columbus external platform on the International Space Station (ISS). ASIM will study the coupling of thunderstorm processes to the upper atmosphere, ionosphere and radiation belts. ASIM is the most complex Earth Observation payload facility planned for the utilization of the ISS.

ASIM will study • The recently discovered electrical discharges in the stratosphere and mesosphere above thunderstorms, • Relativistic electron beams accelerated above thunderstorms, injected into the magnetosphere, • Gravity waves in the thermosphere powered by convection in severe thunderstorms, • Ionisation and heating of the mesosphere and lower ionosphere by electromagnetic waves from lightning discharges and TLEs, and • Precipitation of radiation belt electrons by electromagnetic waves from lightning discharges.

ASIM will also study auroral dynamics, airglow, and greenhouse gas concentrations in the upper atmosphere. ASIM is a spectroscopic mission, measuring optical and X- and gamma-ray emission from the upper atmosphere in bands that cannot be observed from the ground because of atmospheric absorption. The launch is expected in 2012 on board the Japanese HTV.

The paper will present the status of the ASIM and its expected results.