The SoFIE CubeSat Mission: A Global Opportunity for Amateur Radio Operators as Citizen Scientists

The Solar Flare and Ionosphere Explorer (SoFIE) CubeSat mission is a unique opportunity for the global amateur radio community to actively engage in cutting-edge space science and ionospheric research. Developed by students at Saint Francis University (Loretto, Pennsylvania) in collaboration with the University of Scranton's HamSCI initiative, this 3U CubeSat features a 3–30 MHz HF receiver and a single-frequency (~8 MHz) topside sounder, color aurora imager, 630 nm oxygen line imager, and a soft X-ray monitor. The scientific objective of the mission is to study the effects of solar flares on the Earth’s ionosphere. The anticipated launch is no earlier than late 2027.

This presentation will review the architecture of the SoFIE mission and outline how amateur radio operators on every continent can become integral members of the SoFIE science team through HamSCI. Operators can propose novel experimental techniques and participate in coordinated transionospheric measurements, leveraging existing equipment and networks as individuals or teams. All mission data will be made publicly accessible through open-source databases, empowering operators to not just contribute data but also lead independent analyses and publish their findings.