Radiation Belt-Storm Probes Ion Composition Experiment (RB-SPICE)

The Radiation Belt-Storm Probes Ion Composition Experiment (RB-SPICE) on each of the two NASA Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) spacecraft is designed to determine how space weather creates the storm time ring current around earth and how the ring current supplies and supports the creation of radiation belt populations. Time and spatial variations in the ring current itself can also affect technical systems in near- Earth space and on the ground. The RB-SPICE instrument is composed of the PUCK sensor that is capable of measuring the full range of expected ring current energies, intensities, and compositions from quiet conditions to extreme events, with a factor of ten margin against intensity saturation. There is full pitch angle coverage with a 22.5° angular resolution sufficient to identify free energy in particle distributions. The international RB-SPICE Team is composed of thirteen individuals with extensive experience in ring current, radiation belt, and space weather science and engineering.