Feasibility of a multisatellite investigation of the Earth's magnetospherewith radio tomography

We describe the scientific motivation, basic principles, and feasibility of a relatively new measurement technique, radio tomography, and show how it can be used to investigate the Earth's magnetosphere. We demonstrate that a multisatellite radio tomography experiment can produce two-dimensional ima ges of plasma density in the Earth's magnetosphere at sufficient spatial (1 /2 R-E) and temporal (similar to 10 s) resolution to address key problems o f magnetospheric physics. The imaging technique incorporates well-establish ed radio science methods and computed tomography. Several coplanar satellit es are required in orbits that encompass the imaged area. We suggest that t he large-scale images are more valuable when combined with in situ observat ions, supporting an unambiguous interpretation of the in situ data and an i nvestigation of the interdependence of small- and large-scale plasma proces ses.