AtmoCube: observation of the Earth atmosphere from the space to study "space weather" effects

AtmoCube represents an innovative measurement system for the study of the Earth atmosphere starting from altitude of the order of 600 km. It appears as a cubic nano-satellite that has dimensions of 10/spl times/10/spl times/10 cm/sup 3/ with a total weight of 1 kg (aluminium structure). The main scientific instrument is a spectral dosimeter-radiometer allowing continuous monitoring of the radiation environment. The payload includes also a magnetometer belonging to the passive stabilization system. A GPS (Global Positioning System) provides a continuous measurement of the satellite position and allows us to build a map of the measured atmospheric parameters. The goal is to build a precise map of the Earth\´s magnetic field and of the flux of radiation impinging on the instrument, which is related to space weather effects. The GPS, providing the position of the region where the measurements are performed and the corresponding time instant, allows us to correlate these measurements with other measurements performed on Earth and from space and therefore with the indexes of the solar activity. In addition the GPS allows an indirect measurement of the atmospheric density. It has been decided to use an international platform, CubeSat, a "quasi standard" structure that allows to start from a well consolidated basis. CubeSat is an international program and network that has educative purposes and is already in the production phase in the United States and in Japan. In Norway and Germany the program has started. With AtmoCube, Italy can become an active member of the CubeSat network.