Overview of the IMAGE science objectives and mission phases

The Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) mission us es a suite of imaging instruments to investigate the global response of the magnetosphere to changing solar wind conditions. Detailed science question s that fall under this broad objective include plasma processes that occur on the dayside, flanks, and nightside of the magnetosphere. The IMAGE orbit has been carefully designed to optimize the investigation of these plasma processes as the orbit precesses through the magnetospheric regions. We dis cuss here the phasing of the IMAGE orbit during the two-year prime mission and the relationship between the orbit characteristics and the critical sci ence objectives of the mission.