BARREL MSPC: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Stratospheric Balloons

BARREL collected over 50 stratospheric balloon flights carrying an X-ray spectrometer with 48 channels covering 0 MeV to 4 MeV. The mission, a NASA Living with a Star Mission of Opportunity, measured relativistic electron precipitation from Earth's Radiation Belts during campaigns in Antarctica (2013-2014) and Sweden (2015-2016). Data provided medium time resolution, 4-second Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra.

Use Cases

• Analyze electron precipitation events based on 48-channel X-ray spectra
• Study spatial and temporal variations of relativistic electron losses based on balloon constellation data
• Correlate precipitation with in-situ plasma wave and particle measurements from the Van Allen Probes
• Characterize the spatial scale of precipitation at relativistic energies based on balloon array observations

Strengths

• 48-channel spectrometer covering a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 4 MeV
• Over 50 balloon flights launched across four campaigns spanning 2013 to 2016
• Data collected in coordination with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground-based instruments

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured by X-ray spectrometer and DC magnetometer carried on stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

Campaigns conducted in January-February 2013, 2014, August 2015, and August 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 04:09:40.467514; freshness should be verified

Geography

Balloon launches from Halley Bay and SANAE IV base in Antarctica, and Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden.