BARREL 4C MSPC: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns

48 channels of medium time resolution, 4 s, Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra detected with a NaI Scintillator. The BARREL Mission was a NASA Living with a Star Mission of Opportunity designed to study electron losses from Earth's Radiation Belts. Over 50 stratospheric balloons were launched from Antarctica and Sweden between 2013 and 2016.

Use Cases

• Study electron losses from Earth's Radiation Belts based on bremsstrahlung X-ray measurements
• Characterize the spatial scale of precipitation at relativistic energies based on balloon array observations
• Coordinate analysis with Van Allen Probes mission data based on the 2015 and 2016 campaigns
• Analyze ULF-timescale magnetic field variations based on the DC magnetometer measurements mentioned in the description

Strengths

• Data from over 50 stratospheric balloon launches across four campaigns
• 48 spectral channels combined into a single variable named MSPC
• Campaigns coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground and space-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 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:32:58.477936; freshness should be verified

Geography

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