First results of Chinese particle instruments in the Double Star Program

Overview & Synopsis

Double Star Program (DSP) aims to investigate the trigger mechanism and physical models of geomagnetic storms and substorms. The DSP involves two satellites: the equatorial satellite of DSP (TC-1 in China) and the polar satellite of DSP (TC-2 in China). On board the two satellites of TC-1 and TC-2, there are four kinds of particle instruments developed by the Center for Space Science and Applied Research (CSSAR), namely: the High Energy Electron Detector (HEED, TC-1, 2), the High Energy Proton Detector (HEPD, TC-1, 2), the High Energy Heavy Ion Detector (HID, TC-1, 2) and the Low Energy Ion Detector (LEID, TC-2). HEED, HEPD and HID were developed and calibrated in China. The LEID was developed in China and calibrated in France. This paper introduces the scientific objectives and characteristics of each instrument, their status and some preliminary results.