Quakesat

Quakesat is a proposed satellite mission designed to study the ionospheric disturbances that may precede or accompany earthquakes. The primary goal of Quakesat is to improve our understanding of the lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere coupling (LAIC) mechanism, which is a hypothesized interaction between the Earth's crust, atmosphere, and ionosphere before, during, and after seismic events.

The proposed mission involves deploying a small satellite, potentially a CubeSat, equipped with instruments capable of measuring electric and magnetic fields, plasma density, and other ionospheric parameters. These measurements would be correlated with ground-based observations, such as seismic activity and atmospheric conditions, to identify potential pre-earthquake signals.

The underlying scientific hypothesis is that stress buildup in the Earth's crust before an earthquake can release gases, such as radon, which then ionize in the atmosphere. This ionization could lead to detectable changes in the ionosphere, such as variations in electron density and electromagnetic disturbances.

Quakesat-type missions are considered valuable for contributing to the broader field of earthquake forecasting research. While no scientifically validated method for predicting earthquakes with certainty exists currently, improved understanding of LAIC and the potential for precursors could contribute to risk assessment and early warning systems in the future. The success of a Quakesat mission depends on robust data analysis and careful consideration of other factors that influence the ionosphere, such as solar activity and geomagnetic storms.