Abstract:
The Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment (CSSWE) CubeSat, carrying the Relativistic Electron and Proton Telescope integrated little experiment (REPTile) to measure 0.5 to >3.8 MeV electrons and 8-40 MeV protons, operated for over two years, 2012-2014, in low Earth orbit (LEO). There have been 26 peer-reviewed publications, including two in Nature, and five Ph.D. dissertations associated with CSSWE. Another 3U CubeSat mission: the Colorado Inner Radiation Belt Electron Experiment (CIRBE), was launched on 4/15/2023 into a sun synchronous orbit (97.4° inclination and 509 km altitude, 10:30 AM – 10:30 PM). The sole science payload onboard is REPTile-2, a much-advanced version of REPTile with 60 channels for electrons (0.25 – 5 MeV) and 60 channels for protons (6.5-100 MeV), which has been performing nominally. Detailed variations of electron energy spectra in both the inner and outer radiation belts have been measured, including “drift echoes” or “zebra stripes,” which are believed to be associated with transient large scale electric fields. Interesting features in the inner belt, such as “wisps,” a precipitation phenomenon associated with human-generated VLF (Very Low Frequency) waves have been clearly measured as well. In addition, the spatial location and spectral information of trapped inner belt protons are well measured and occasional solar energetic protons (e.g., on 23 April) have been well captured at high latitudes.
This is also a good opportunity to acknowledge the efforts and contributions from the team members, including Rick Kohnert who had been the Project Manager for CIRBE and Chief Technical Mentor for CSSWE, and passed away unexpectedly on 02/08/2023, right before the delivery of CIRBE to the launch facility. Issues and lessons associated with CIRBE will also be discussed if time allows.
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