FACTORS is a future formation flight satellite mission at an altitude range up to thousands of kilometers of Earth’s polar regions. The space environment in this region is characterized by inter-regional connections that manifest themselves on diverse temporal and spatial scales, as exemplified by the small-scale complex structures of auroras. This environment involves the acceleration and transport of space matter, the excitation and propagation of waves associated with these processes, and the formation and interaction of electric field and current structures. These phenomena are considered fundamental and universal mechanisms for the formation of magnetospheres and atmospheric evolution in magnetized planetary systems.

FACTORS will consist of instruments measuring magnetic field, electric field, and plasma particles, as well as auroral cameras developed by PPARC. Utilizing the experience gained from cameras installed on the Reimei satellite and LAMP rockets, these cameras plan to observe the fine structures of auroras at two wavelengths, visible and ultraviolet.