The Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) Energetic Particle, Composition, and Thermal Plasma (ECT) Instrument Suite
Abstract
The Energetic particle, Composition, and Thermal plasma (ECT) instrument suite was selected recently by NASA as part of the Radiation Belt Storm Probe (RBSP) mission. In this presentation, we summarize the RBSP-ECT science investigation. The ECT suite contains a well-proven complement of particle instruments to ensure the highest quality measurements in the inner magnetosphere. The coordinated ECT particle measurements, analyzed in combination with fields and waves observations and state-of-the-art theory and modeling, are required for understanding the acceleration, global distribution, and variability of radiation belt electrons and ions, key science objectives of NASA's Living With a Star program and the RBSP mission. ECT has four science objectives, which consolidate the eight prioritized RBSP mission objectives. They are: (1) determine the physical processes that produce radiation belt enhancements; (2) determine the dominant mechanisms for relativistic electron loss; (3) determine how the inner magnetospheric plasma environment controls radiation belt acceleration/loss; and, (4) develop empirical and physical models for understanding/predicting radiation belt space weather effects. In this poster, we present an overview of the science and measurements goals of the ECT suite as well as the instruments required to achieve those goals.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006AGUFMSM33A0335S
- Keywords:
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- 2720 Energetic particles: trapped;
- 2774 Radiation belts