Open AccessCalibration of Mars Energetic Particle Analyzer (MEPA)
Author(s) -
Tang ShuWen,
Wang Yi,
Zhao HongYun,
Fang Fang,
Qian Yi,
Zhang YongJie,
Yang HaiBo,
Li CunHui,
Fu Qiang,
Kong Jie,
Hu XiangYu,
Su Hong,
Sun ZhiYu,
Yu YuHong,
Zhang BaoMing,
Sun Yu,
Sun ZhiPeng
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
earth and planetary physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2096-3955
DOI - 10.26464/epp2020055
Subject(s) - mars exploration program , calibration , orbiter , exploration of mars , physics , particle (ecology) , aerospace engineering , high energy particle , cosmic ray , spacecraft , remote sensing , environmental science , spectrum analyzer , astrobiology , astronomy , optics , nuclear physics , engineering , geology , quantum mechanics , oceanography
The first Mars exploration mission of China (Tianwen‐1) is scheduled to be launched in 2020; a charged particle telescope, the Mars Energetic Particle Analyzer (MEPA), is carried as one of the payloads on the orbiter. The MEPA is designed to measure solar energetic particles (SEPs) and galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) in the near‐Mars space and in the transfer orbit from Earth to Mars. Before the launch, the MEPA was calibrated in ground experiments with radioactive sources, electronic pulses, and accelerator beams. The calibration parameters, such as energy conversion constants, threshold values for the triggers, and particle identification criteria, were determined and have been stored for onboard use. The validity of the calibration parameters has been verified with radioactive sources and beams. The calibration results indicate that the MEPA can measure charged particles reliably, as designed, and that it can satisfy the requirements of the Tianwen‐1 mission.
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