BARREL MSPC: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Stratospheric Balloons

The BARREL mission conducted balloon campaigns from 2013 to 2016, launching over 50 stratospheric balloons from Antarctica and Sweden. It was a NASA Living with a Star Mission of Opportunity designed to study electron losses from Earth's Radiation Belts by measuring bremsstrahlung X-rays. The MSPC instrument provided 48-channel medium time resolution spectra, with a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 4 MeV.

Use Cases

• Analyzing relativistic electron precipitation events based on bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra
• Studying spatial and temporal variations of electron losses based on balloon constellation data
• Characterizing the spatial scale of precipitation at relativistic energies based on the mission's stated purpose
• Correlating precipitation events with in-situ plasma wave and particle measurements based on the mission's coordination with Van Allen Probes

Strengths

• Over 50 stratospheric balloons were launched across four campaigns from 2013 to 2016
• Provides the first balloon measurements of relativistic electron precipitation during comprehensive in-situ measurements
• Data covers a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 4 MeV across 48 channels

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 instruments carried on stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:32:48.432623; freshness should be verified

Geography

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