Strannik (MKA-PN 4)

Strannik [Lavochkin]

Strannik or MKA-PN 4 is a Russian microsatellite to conduct investigations of the magnetospheric multi-scale plasma turbulence.

The mission objectives of the Strannik satellite are:

• to investigate waves and particle interaction on the outer boundaries of the Earth's magnetosphere,
• to determine the dynamic characteristics during the interaction of solar wind with Earth's magnetosphere,
• to investigate the geotail dynamics and magnetic field,
• to determine the role of small-scale electrodynamics structures in global dynamics of the Earth's magnetosphere plasma,
• to investigate processes of plasma acceleration in the outer magnetosphere,
• to investigate properties of plasma turbulence and transfer processes across magnetospheric boundaries,
• to determine physical processes controlling the structure of plasma flow in critical areas of the Earth's magnetosphere,
• to investigate influence of anomalies in dynamics of magnetospheric boundaries on space weather.

Strannik was to be based on Lavochkin's Karat microsatellite bus as a modification of the Rezonans spacecraft, but was cancelled with the Karat program in March 2014. In November 2014, the development of Strannik was restarted. It will now use the larger improved Karat-200 bus and feature a liquid propulsion system.

The planned instrument suite consists of:

• Electron plasma analyzer (TOTEM-E)
• Ion mass sensor (TDK-S)
• Charged particles spectrometer (DOK-MS)
• High-frequency emission and plasma resonance detector (NFA (BE))
• Low-frequency emission detector (ELMAVAN (BE))
• High-frequency magnetic sensor (P3 sensor)
• System for data collection and transmission (SUSPI-S)

The mission is either to be launched as a piggy-back payload on a Soyuz Fregat launch or as a dedicated payload on a small launcher like Dnepr, Rokot-KM or Start.