SMILE

Solar wind-Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Link Explorer

A number of SMILE Science Working Groups have been established in order to support the SMILE Science Study Team (see below) in ensuring that the mission science objectives are achieved and optimised, and in adding value to SMILE science through the contributions of complementary measurements on the ground and in space. 

SWG - In Situ (Chair: Lei Dai, NSSC/CAS) 
The SWG activity is centred on optimising the design, operations and calibrations planning of the in situ instrument package. A report reviewing science objectives, pointing and measurement accuracy requirements, operational modes, calibration plans and data products is being prepared. 

SWG - Data Formats (Chair: Catarina Alves de Oliveira, ESA)  
The SWG had a kick-off meeting at ESAC, near Madrid, Spain, in January 2018. 

SWG - Ground-Based and Additional Science (GBAS) (Chair: Jenny Carter, Leicester University) 
Links with ground observers are already well established (as illustrated in the SMILE ground-based support document by Carter et al., 2015). Preliminary contacts with operational and forthcoming space missions are taking place in order to coordinate observing and software efforts.

SWG - Outreach (Chair: Graziella Branduardi-Raymont, MSSL/UCL) 
Much discussion and activity is taking place generating contacts with organisations promoting science in primary and secondary schools, holding workshops and promoting careers in science, focusing on SMILE as a practical example of how space projects are developed, and encouraging pupils to follow its progress to launch and beyond.

SWG - Modelling
(Co-chaired: Hyunju Connor (Univ. Alaska Fairbanks and Tianran Sun, NSSC/CAS, Beijing, China) 

This WG aims to coordinate and drive the simulation and modelling activities ongoing in many SMILE collaborating institutes and leading to predict the soft X-ray images which SXI will generate. This work, simulating the changes which can be expected in magnetospheric boundary locations under differing solar wind conditions, coupled with investigations of how to extract magnetospheric boundary and cusp positions, is essential in order to optimise the SXI observing strategy once SMILE is operational. The WG is very active, with monthly teleconferences where research work is reported and discussed in detail.