RBSP-ECT Suite Status:Instrument Status and Instrument Operations Flexibility

Harlan E. Spence on behalf of RBSP-ECT TeamUniversity of New Hampshire

Van Allen Probes SWG Meeting 23 September 2014

SwRI, San Antonio, TX

RBSP-ECT Instrument Status• All RBSPECT instruments continue to operate extremely well,

with no loss in primary capability toward L1’s– Radiation-induced noise in MagEIS ion telescope (on high units) has affected

lowest two channels (<100 keV), but all higher channels (up to ~ MeV) continue to provide excellent measurements

– No loss of Level 1 science as HOPE and RBSPICE continue to cover the lower energy ions as their primary measurements (see next slide)

• Cross-calibration understanding now mature; revised instrument energy response and detection efficiencies based on ground and inflight calibrations being finalized and used to construct next generation (Release #3) of data products (including PSD)– Extensive work by MagEIS and REPT teams reconciling electron fluxes at

high energies (few MeV) in overlap region (Aerospace and CU teams)

Before magnet correction

After magnet correction

RBSP-ECT Instrument Status• All RBSPECT instruments continue to operate extremely well,

with no loss in primary capability toward L1’s– Radiation-induced noise in MagEIS ion telescope (on high units) has affected

lowest two channels (<100 keV), but all higher channels (up to ~ MeV) continue to provide excellent measurements

– No loss of Level 1 science as HOPE and RBSPICE continue to cover the lower energy ions as their primary measurements (see next slide)

• Cross-calibration understanding now mature; revised instrument energy response and detection efficiencies based on ground and inflight calibrations being finalized and used to construct next generation (Release #3) of data products (including PSD)– Extensive work by MagEIS and REPT teams reconciling electron fluxes at

high energies (few MeV) in overlap region (Aerospace and CU teams)– Comprehensive analysis of HOPE-RBSPICE-MagEIS (and Cluster CODIF) ion

fluxes (Lynn Kistler and instrument teams); draft of cross-calibration report distributed and being reviewed by team

Examples of Ion Cross Calibration

Examples of Pressure Balance Tests

RBSP-ECT Instrument Operation FlexibilityIncreased T/M capability has already and will allow us to produce better and new science into the Extended Mission

• HOPE – during Prime Mission increased T/M has already maxed out data throughput, limited by instrument to s/c data pipe; same flexibility of data modes exist in Extended Phase as during Prime Phase

• MagEIS – increased sectoring has allowed us to generate better resolved pitch angle data, especially important during the extended mission when we aim to focus on precipitation (at higher L where electron fluxes are high and backgrounds are low) and where deconvolution and increased sampling will allow us to probe very near the loss cone; could be increased during Extended Mission

• REPT – increased direct event data has allowed greater insight into measurements, leading already to two publications (and more coming) associated with the inner belt that would not have been possible (or as credible) with such a capability; could be increased during Extended Mission

Van Allen Probe Orientation Change?• Tilt of spacecraft (to accommodate axial boom shadowing) has

mostly defeated the PA coverage advantage as designed with dual MagEIS medium units with one canted to maximize coverage w.r.t. magnetic field

• Initial analysis (J. Fennell) demonstrates that spacecraft tilt reduced that strategic advantage

• In preparation for Extended Mission, we propose to explore if/how we can modify the spacecraft tilt (reduce it, E/W versus N/S, eliminate it during campaigns, etc.?) to maximize pitch angle coverage in MagEIS medium units (and all other instruments) for new precipitation and WPI studies– What range of PA coverage have we observed during the prime mission?– Based on that coverage, what can we expect during the Extended Science

phase for various changes in spacecraft orientation?