Heliophysics

FAST

282 tracked publications and 9,574 citations from 1997–2026. Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer. Launched 1996. Life-cycle cost: $117M in 2025 dollars. Active Mission Window September 1, 1996 to June 1, 2011: 212 publications, 14 top-10% credit.

In-Situ Probe · h-index 53 · 23 papers with 100+ citations · prime mission ended 1997

Lifetime

Scope Papers published from the first full month after science operations begin through 2 years after the mission ends. Citations are counted through the third calendar year after each paper appears. Methods Papers published from the first full month after science operations begin through 2 years after the prime mission ends. Citations are counted through the third calendar year after each paper appears. Methods Every tracked publication to date, with every citation to date. Methods

Key measures

Active Mission Window · papers September 1, 1996 to June 1, 2011
Tracked publicationsTracked publications: peer-reviewed research papers we found for the mission. The list may not be complete. Methods212
CitationsCitations received by the tracked publications in the selected scope. The two windowed scopes count each paper’s citations only within its citation window. Methods1,706
Mean citations per publicationMean citations: total citations divided by tracked publications in the selected scope. One blockbuster paper can lift it. Methods8.0
Median citations per publicationMedian citations: the middle paper’s citation count in the selected scope; half the papers have more, half fewer. A single blockbuster sways it less than the mean. Methods5
Uncited publicationsUncited publications: papers with no citations in the selected scope. Methods29 (14%)
Top-10% creditTop 10%: among the 10% most-cited papers from this division’s missions, ranked against papers published around the same time. A paper naming several missions is split evenly among the missions in this division that claim it, so counts can be fractional. Methods14 · 0.99% of division
Top-1% creditTop 1%: among the 1% most-cited papers from this division’s missions within the selected window. Not adjusted for publication year. A paper naming several missions is split evenly among the missions in this division that claim it, so counts can be fractional. Methods2 · 1.4% of division
Lifetime indices · every tracked publication to date, in any scope
h-indexh-index: the largest h such that h papers have at least h citations each. It only grows with time, so older missions score higher. Methods53
g-indexg-index: the largest g for which the g most-cited papers together hold at least g² citations. Like the h-index, but it lets the most-cited papers count for more. Methods85
m-index, as of October 4, 2026m-index: a mission’s h-index divided by the years since its first peer-reviewed paper. It falls every 1 January even when nothing else changes, so it belongs to the date shown; it also discounts the long operating life that larger missions paid for. Methods1.8
toritori (total research impact, from ADS): for every paper citing one of the mission’s papers, 1 divided by the citing paper’s reference count times the cited paper’s author count, summed, with self-citations removed. It favors citations from papers with short reference lists and from outside the mission’s own authors. Computed over the tracked citation graph, which can be slightly incomplete. Methods51
riqriq (research impact quotient): 1,000 times the square root of tori, divided by the years since the mission’s first paper. A rate, not a total, so it does not keep growing with age the way the h-index and tori do. Methods238

Tracked publications

  1. FAST satellite observations of large-amplitude solitary structures

    Ergun, R. E., 1998, GeoRL

    512 citations

  2. FAST observations in the downward auroral current region: Energetic upgoing electron beams, parallel potential drops, and ion heating

    Carlson, C. W., 1998, GeoRL

    276 citations

  3. FAST satellite observations of electric field structures in the auroral zone

    Ergun, R. E., 1998, GeoRL

    265 citations

  4. Modulated electron-acoustic waves in auroral density cavities: FAST observations

    Pottelette, R., 1999, GeoRL

    260 citations

  5. Factors controlling ionospheric outflows as observed at intermediate altitudes

    Strangeway, R. J., 2005, JGRA

    245 citations

  6. The Fast Auroral SnapshoT (FAST) Mission

    Carlson, C. W., 1998, GeoRL

    234 citations

  7. Electron-Cyclotron Maser Driven by Charged-Particle Acceleration from Magnetic Field-aligned Electric Fields

    Ergun, R. E., 2000, ApJ

    180 citations

  8. FAST satellite wave observations in the AKR source region

    Ergun, R. E., 1998, GeoRL

    178 citations

  9. Variations in the polar cap area during two substorm cycles

    Milan, S. E., 2003, AnGeo

    171 citations

  10. Observation of two distinct, rapid loss mechanisms during the 20 November 2003 radiation belt dropout event

    Bortnik, J., 2006, JGRA

    169 citations

  11. Properties of small-scale Alfvén waves and accelerated electrons from FAST

    Chaston, C. C., 2003, JGRA

    153 citations

  12. Nonlinear two-stream instabilities as an explanation for auroral bipolar wave structures

    Goldman, M. V., 1999, GeoRL

    150 citations

  13. Auroral ion acceleration in dispersive Alfvén waves

    Chaston, C. C., 2004, JGRA

    135 citations

  14. Microstructure of the auroral acceleration region as observed by FAST

    McFadden, J. P., 1999, JGR

    124 citations

  15. Parallel electric fields in the upward current region of the aurora: Indirect and direct observations

    Ergun, R. E., 2002, PhPl

    124 citations

  16. Driven Alfven waves and electron acceleration: A FAST case study

    Chaston, C. C., 2002, GeoRL

    116 citations

  17. Energy deposition by Alfvén waves into the dayside auroral oval: Cluster and FAST observations

    Chaston, C. C., 2005, JGRA

    114 citations

  18. parallel electric fields in discrete arcs

    Ergun, R. E., 2000, GeoRL

    112 citations

  19. HEUVAC: A new high resolution solar EUV proxy model

    Richards, Philip G., 2006, AdSpR

    112 citations

  20. FAST observations of VLF waves in the auroral zone: Evidence of very low plasma densities

    Strangeway, R. J., 1998, GeoRL

    104 citations

How we found these papers

We searched NASA’s Astrophysics Data System (ADS) for peer-reviewed articles naming FAST in the title, abstract or keywords; standard filters drop articles that are not peer-reviewed and magazine pieces. SciX is ADS’s current interface.

((=abs:"Fast Auroral Snapshot" OR =abs:"Fast Auroral Snapshots" OR (abs:FAST AND (abs:satellite OR abs:spacecraft OR abs:mission OR abs:probe) AND (abs:aurora OR abs:auroral)) OR (abs:FAST AND (abs:satellite OR abs:spacecraft) AND (abs:ionospher* OR abs:magnetospher* OR abs:photoelectron*))) AND NOT =abs:"Aperture Spherical" AND NOT =abs:"FAST events" AND NOT =abs:"FAST perturbations" AND NOT =abs:"Swarm FAST") AND property:refereed AND doctype:article AND pubdate:[1996-09 TO 2040-01] AND NOT bibstem:("A&R" OR "AIASJ" OR "AeAm" OR "AirSp" OR "AsNow" OR "AsUAI" OR "AvWST" OR "C&E" OR "C&T" OR "CAPJ" OR "E&S" OR "ENews" OR "IrAJ" OR "JCos" OR "JRASC" OR "LAstr" OR "MNSSA" OR "Met" OR "NewSc" OR "Orion" OR "PhT" OR "PhTea" OR "PhuZ" OR "PhyOJ" OR "PhyW" OR "PlR" OR "SciAm" OR "SpFl" OR "ZemVs")

Open in SciX

Added after review (39)

  1. Simultaneous observations of solar wind plasma entry from FAST and POLAR Joint FAST and Polar observations of solar-wind plasma entering the cusp. Decision 🤖
  2. Velocity-shear-driven ion-cyclotron waves and associated transverse ion heating Laboratory wave-heating experiments compared with FAST and other spacecraft observations. Decision 🤖
  3. Characteristics of a stable arc based on FAST and MIRACLE observations Stable auroral arc studied with FAST and ground-based MIRACLE data. Decision 🤖
  4. Cold flowing O⁺ beams in the lobe/mantle at Geotail: Does FAST observe the source? Uses FAST and Geotail data to test the source of tailward oxygen beams. Decision 🤖
  5. The cross-polar potential drop and its correlation to the solar wind Uses FAST cross-polar potentials to study response to the solar wind. Decision 🤖
  6. Nonlinear Model for Coherent Electric Field Structures in the Magnetosphere Electron-hole model that explains electric structures observed by FAST and Polar. Decision 🤖
  7. Excitation of Alfvén waves by modulated HF heating of the ionosphere, with application to FAST observations Theory of heater-driven Alfvén waves applied to FAST observations. Decision 🤖
  8. Electron acceleration observed by the FAST satellite within the IAR during a 3 Hz modulated EISCAT heater experiment FAST observations of electron acceleration during a heating experiment. Decision 🤖
  9. Nonlinear Localized Electrostatic Structures and Their Experimental Diagnostics in the Magnetosphere Plasma Model of electrostatic structures compared with FAST, Polar and Geotail observations. Decision 🤖
  10. BGK electron solitary waves in 3D magnetized plasma Solitary-wave theory that explains features observed by FAST. Decision 🤖
  11. A telescopic and microscopic view of a magnetospheric substorm on 31 March 2001 Multi-spacecraft substorm study that includes FAST field and plasma data. Decision 🤖
  12. Investigation into the spatial and temporal coherence of ionospheric outflow on January 9-12, 1997 Multi-satellite study of ionospheric outflow that includes FAST ion data. Decision 🤖
  13. Lobe cell convection and field-aligned currents poleward of the region 1 current system Uses FAST field and particle data to study lobe-cell convection. Decision 🤖
  14. Testing global storm-time electric field models using particle spectra on multiple spacecraft Uses FAST, Polar and Equator-S ion spectra to test storm-time electric field models. Decision 🤖
  15. Cusp structures: combining multi-spacecraft observations with ground-based observations Cusp structure study building on joint FAST, Polar and Interball observations. Decision 🤖
  16. Quantitative modelling of the closure of meso-scale parallel currents in the nightside ionosphere Current-closure modelling using FAST and Ørsted currents with radar data. Decision 🤖
  17. Two-dimensional particle simulation of electromagnetic field signature associated with electrostatic solitary waves Simulation of solitary-wave field signatures compared with FAST and Polar measurements. Decision 🤖
  18. An investigation of the field-aligned currents associated with a large-scale ULF wave using data from CUTLASS and FAST Uses FAST particle and field data with radar to study ULF wave currents. Decision 🤖
  19. Global cooling and densification of the plasma sheet during an extended period of purely northward IMF on October 22-24, 2003 Plasma sheet study using FAST cusp observations during northward IMF. Decision 🤖
  20. Alfvén waves and Poynting flux observed simultaneously by Polar and FAST in the plasma sheet boundary layer Simultaneous FAST and Polar observations of Alfvén waves and Poynting flux. Decision 🤖
  21. Spatial and Temporal Cusp Structures Observed by Multiple Spacecraft and Ground Based Observations Review of cusp structure combining FAST, Polar, Interball, Cluster and radar results. Decision 🤖
  22. HEUVAC: A new high resolution solar EUV proxy model Solar EUV model validated with FAST photoelectron measurements. Decision 🤖
  23. Theoretical model and experimental diagnostics of nonlinear electrostatic structures in space plasma Model of electrostatic structures compared with FAST, Polar and Geotail observations. Decision 🤖
  24. Mapping of Poynting flux and widths of inertial Alfvén wave structures in high-latitude plasmas Alfvén-wave Poynting-flux scaling constrained by FAST-observed wave widths. Decision 🤖
  25. Observation of two distinct, rapid loss mechanisms during the 20 November 2003 radiation belt dropout event Multi-satellite study of a radiation-belt dropout that includes FAST data. Decision 🤖
  26. Temporal and spectral variations of the photoelectron flux and solar irradiance during an X class solar flare FAST photoelectron spectra during an X-class flare test solar irradiance models. Decision 🤖
  27. Origin of ion-cyclotron turbulence in the downward Birkeland current region Instability analysis of electron distributions measured by FAST. Decision 🤖
  28. Investigation of the broadband ELF turbulence by observations of the FAST satellite Uses FAST electric field data to study broadband ELF turbulence. Decision 🤖
  29. Solar EUV and XUV energy input to thermosphere on solar rotation time scales derived from photoelectron observations FAST photoelectron spectra test solar irradiance models over solar rotations. Decision 🤖
  30. Photoelectron flows in the polar wind during geomagnetically quiet periods Uses FAST data to study photoelectron flows in the polar wind. Decision 🤖
  31. Seasonal asymmetry in the broadband ELF electric fields observed by the FAST satellite Uses FAST electric field data to find a seasonal asymmetry in ELF turbulence. Decision 🤖
  32. Correlations between variations in solar EUV and soft X-ray irradiance and photoelectron energy spectra observed on Mars and Earth Compares FAST photoelectron spectra at Earth with Mars Global Surveyor data. Decision 🤖
  33. Parametric study of density cavities caused by ion outflow in the topside ionosphere Ionospheric outflow model reproduces a density cavity observed by FAST. Decision 🤖
  34. Compressive and Rarefactive Ion Acoustic Nonlinear Periodic Waves in Nonthermal Plasmas Nonlinear wave model that accounts for structures observed by FAST and Polar. Decision 🤖
  35. The Relationship Between Cusp Region Ion Outflows and East-West Magnetic Field Fluctuations at 4,000-km Altitude Uses FAST cusp measurements to relate ion outflows to magnetic fluctuations. Decision 🤖
  36. Violation of Hemispheric Symmetry in Integrated Poynting Flux via an Empirical Model Uses FAST-derived empirical models to test hemispheric Poynting-flux asymmetry. Decision 🤖
  37. Validation of Simulated Statistical Characteristics of Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling in Global Geospace Simulations Over an Entire Carrington Rotation Global simulation validated against FAST Alfvénic Poynting-flux observations. Decision 🤖
  38. Deployment Mechanisms on the Fast Satellite: Magnetometer, Radial Wire, and Axial Booms Design, testing and on-orbit deployment of the FAST spacecraft booms. Decision 🤖
  39. Science Operations and Data Handling for the FAST Satellite FAST science operations, data processing and analysis software. Decision 🤖

Removed after review (5)

  1. The EISCAT Svalbard radar: A case study in modern incoherent scatter radar system design Design of the EISCAT Svalbard radar; mentions FAST only as a supported satellite. Decision 🤖
  2. Wave-Particle Correlator Instrument Design Design of wave-particle correlator instruments; reports no results. Decision 🤖
  3. Geomagnetic Field Investigation on the POLAR Microsatellite SACI-I Plans for the Brazilian SACI-1 satellite; mentions FAST only as a future partner. Decision 🤖
  4. Detecting exoplanets with FAST? FAST here is the Chinese radio telescope, not the NASA spacecraft. Decision 🤖
  5. 2025A&A...695A..95Z FAST here is the Chinese radio telescope, not the NASA spacecraft. Decision 🤖