Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere
Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere was a NASA Small Explorer mission led scientifically from Hampton University to determine why polar mesospheric clouds form and why they change. Three complementary instruments mapped the clouds, measured their ice particles and atmospheric environment, and sampled cosmic dust entering the upper atmosphere.
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Identity
- Aliases
- AIMExplorer 90
- Name
- Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere
- Slug
- aeronomy-of-ice-in-the-mesosphere
- Status
- completed
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere was a NASA Small Explorer mission led scientifically from Hampton University to determine why polar mesospheric clouds form and why they change. Three complementary instruments mapped the clouds, measured their ice particles and atmospheric environment, and sampled cosmic dust entering the upper atmosphere.
- End Date
- 2023-03-13
- Launch Site
- Outcome
- AIM operated for nearly sixteen years, far beyond its planned two-year mission, and produced a long global record of polar mesospheric clouds and their atmospheric setting. Its observations changed understanding of cloud formation, variability, gravity waves, and coupling between the lower atmosphere and near-space environment. Science operations ended after the spacecraft's aging battery failed; AIM reentered the atmosphere in August 2024.
- Program
- Explorer Program
- Start Date
- 2007-04-25
- Vehicle Families
Links
- Official Url
- https://science.nasa.gov/mission/aim/
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- July 18, 2026 at 15:58:53 UTC
- Updated Time
- July 18, 2026 at 15:58:53 UTC
Other
- Affiliations
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles