Multi-frequency phase-coherent systems: New instrument for space plasma exploration

The Cassini Telecommunication System is capable of carrying out new, non-standard and effective radio science experiments in the field of the space plasma studies: - measurements of the total electron content on both the uplink and downlink made simultaneously and/or separately, - location of solar wind plasma clouds, - determination of the solar wind plasma cloud velocity, - measurement of the plasma cloud magnetic field, - Saturn/Titan ionosphere sounding by a new two-way method. Performing these experiments does not require any additional unit to be taken aboard the Cassini spacecraft.