BARREL 4G X-ray Spectrometer: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns

NASA's BARREL mission collected over 50 balloon flights measuring Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra from 0 MeV to 4 MeV with 48 channels at 4-second resolution. The mission, a NASA Living with a Star Mission of Opportunity, launched from Antarctic and Swedish stations during campaigns from 2013 to 2016. Data was used to study relativistic electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts in coordination with the Van Allen Probes.

Use Cases

• Study spatial and temporal variations of electron precipitation based on X-ray spectra measurements.
• Characterize the spatial scale of precipitation at relativistic energies based on balloon array observations.
• Correlate balloon-based X-ray data with in-situ plasma wave and particle measurements from satellite missions.
• Analyze ULF-timescale magnetic field variations in conjunction with X-ray spectrometer data.

Strengths

• Data covers a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 4 MeV across 48 spectral channels.
• Over 50 stratospheric balloon flights were conducted across four campaigns from 2013 to 2016.
• Observations were coordinated 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 spectrometers and DC magnetometers carried on stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 11:25:16.538122; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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