Theoretical Problems Underlying Sprite Observations of the Planned Taranis Satellite Mission

Tool for the Analysis of Radiations from lightnings and Sprites (TARANIS) is a French Space Agency’s (CNES) satellite mission planned for launch in 2020. It is designed for investigating phenomena related to thunderstorm activity, transient luminous events (TLEs) and amongst them – red sprites. The satellite is equipped with cameras, photometers, energetic particles detectors, ion probe and electromagnetic sensors of wide frequency spectrum. It will be the most versatile satellite for measuring TLEs ever sent to space. In this article, theories that are fundamental for understanding sprites and sprites-related measurements of TARANIS mission are presented. The current state of sprites phenomenology and their possible generation mechanisms are presented. The article briefly covers streamer discharges, cloud charge structure at the TLE occurrence, electric breakdown of the air and Runaway Relativistic Electron Avalanche (RREA). At the end, TARANIS mission equipment and goals that are related to presented theories are presented.

Propagation of ELF Radiation from RS-LC System and Red Sprites in Earth-Ionosphere Waveguide

In this paper, two different mechanisms return stroke-lateral corona (RS-LC) system and red sprites which excite Earth-ionosphere waveguide have been discussed. The electric and magnetic fields from RS-LC system and red spites in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide have been calculated. It has been found that red sprites contribute to the Schumann resonances (SR) greatly as compared to the RS-LC system.