Radiation Belt Storm Probes Ion Composition Experiment (RBSPICE) Revisited: In-Flight Calibrations, Lessons Learned and Scientific Advances

Matina Gkioulidou; Donald G Mitchell; Jerry W Manweiler; Louis J Lanzerotti; Andrew J Gerrard; Aleksandr Y Ukhorskiy; Kunihiro Keika; Christopher G Mouikis; Lynn M Kistler

doi:10.1007/s11214-023-00991-x

Radiation Belt Storm Probes Ion Composition Experiment (RBSPICE) Revisited: In-Flight Calibrations, Lessons Learned and Scientific Advances

Space Sci Rev. 2023;219(8):80. doi: 10.1007/s11214-023-00991-x. Epub 2023 Nov 28.

Authors

Matina Gkioulidou¹, Donald G Mitchell¹, Jerry W Manweiler², Louis J Lanzerotti³, Andrew J Gerrard³, Aleksandr Y Ukhorskiy¹, Kunihiro Keika⁴, Christopher G Mouikis⁵, Lynn M Kistler⁵

Affiliations

¹ Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, MD USA.
² Fundamental Technologies, LLC, Lawrence, KS USA.
³ Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ USA.
⁴ Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
⁵ Space Science Center, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH USA.

Abstract

The Radiation Belt Storm Probes Ion Composition Experiment (RBSPICE) on both the Van Allen Probes spacecraft is a time-of-flight versus total energy instrument that provided ion composition data over the ring current energy (∼7 keV to ∼1 MeV), and electrons over the energy range ∼25 keV to ∼1 MeV throughout the duration of the mission (2012 - 2019). In this paper we present instrument calibrations, implemented after the Van Allen Probes mission was launched. In particular, we discuss updated rate dependent corrections, possible contamination by "accidentals" rates, and caveats concerning the use of certain products. We also provide a summary of the major advances in ring current science, obtained from RBSPICE observations, and their implications for the future of inner magnetosphere exploration.

Keywords: Magnetosphere; Ring current; Space weather; Time-of-flight.

Publication types

Review