BARREL 4C XSPC: 30-Channel Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra

The BARREL mission collected 30-channel Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra at 50-millisecond resolution from stratospheric balloons launched in Antarctica (2013-2014) and Sweden (2015-2016). Produced by NASA, this Level 2 data provides unfiltered measurements of relativistic electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts. Observations were coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground and space-based instruments.

Use Cases

• Study electron losses from Earth's Radiation Belts based on bremsstrahlung X-ray measurements
• Characterize spatial scales of relativistic electron precipitation based on balloon array observations
• Analyze temporal variations of electron precipitation based on 50-millisecond time resolution data
• Correlate precipitation events with in-situ plasma wave measurements based on mission coordination

Strengths

• Provides 30-channel spectral data with 50-millisecond time resolution
• Data is unfiltered by altitude, unlike other BARREL products
• Campaigns involved over 50 stratospheric balloon flights across four years

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• Altitude data must be cross-checked with separate EPHM files before use

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured by X-ray spectrometers carried on stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

Campaigns conducted in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:33:08.679375; freshness should be verified

Geography

Balloon launches from Antarctica (Halley Bay, SANAE IV) and Sweden (Esrange Space Center).