The Relativistic Proton Spectrometer: A Review of Sensor Performance, Applications, and Science

Abstract

The Relativistic Proton Spectrometer (RPS) on the Van Allen Probes spacecraft was a particle spectrometer designed to measure the flux, angular distribution, and energy spectrum of protons from ∼60MeV to ∼2000MeV. RPS provided new information about the inner Van Allen belt: a nearby region of space that had been relatively unexplored because of the difficulties of making charged particle measurements there and the associated hazards to satellite operations. We met the primary mission objective of providing accurate data for the AP9 radiation specification model at the high energies where there were little to no data prior to the Van Allen Probes mission. Along the way, we were able to demonstrate the long-term stability of parts of the Inner Belt by comparison with short-lived space science missions that operated decades prior to Van Allen Probes. The most significant surprises were the agreement between RPS and some of those historical measurements and the discovery of a trapped population of >30MeV leptons at the outer edge of the inner belt. This end-of-mission paper summarizes the instrument performance, calibration, data products, and specific science and engineering results, and includes suggestions for future investigations of intense radiation fields like those found within the inner belt.