AMPTE

Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorer

The AMPTE mission was designed to study the access of solar-wind ions to the magnetosphere, the convective-diffusive transport and energization of magnetospheric particles, and the interactions of plasmas in space. It created the first artificial comet.
The mission consisted of three spacecraft: the CCE; the IRM, which provided multiple ion releases in the solar wind, the magnetosheath, and the magnetotail, with in situ diagnostics of each; and the UKS, which used thrusters to keep station near the IRM to provide two-point local measurements.

Satellite
Launch	August 16, 1984
End of Mission	August 13, 1986
Status	inaktive

MPE Participation:

• IRM (Iron Release Module)