The X-ray Detector Test experiment on Mir

Statistics – Applications

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Spaceborne And Space Research Instruments, Apparatus, And Components, X- And Gamma-Ray Sources, Mirrors, Gratings, And Detectors, X-Ray Effects

Scientific paper

In 1996 and 1997 PSI developed the X-ray Detector Test (XDT) Instrument, sponsored by NASA through UAB/CMC. The Instrument contains three sensor subsystems, each using a high sensitivity photomultiplier tube (PMT) as the radiation event detector. One subsystem has the PMT alone; the second has the PMT coupled to a fiberoptic cylinder; and the third has the PMT coupled to a fiberoptic cylinder with a thin phosphor screen. Subsystem electronics sense each radiation pulse, digitize the amplitude, and assign the pulse to a particular amplitude bin. Pulses are accumulated in temporary memory for 60 seconds, and then recorded in permanent memory. The recorded data then are pulse count and pulse amplitude spectral distribution for nearly sequential 60 second intervals throughout the flight. In 1997 NASA, UAB/CMC, and PSI formulated a plan to fly the XDT Experiment on Mir, because the ISS orbit will be nearly the same as the Mir orbit, and the Mir structure is generally similar to the ISS structure. The XDT Instrument was launched on STS-89 in late January 1998, and operated for five days in the SPACEHAB Module while STS-89 was docked with Mir. The XDT Instrument was then transferred to the Priroda capsule on Mir and operated nearly continuously until mid-May, acquiring radiation event data from the three detector subsystems for 119,700 sixty second intervals. The XDT Instrument was returned to Earth on STS-91 in early June 1998. A key result is that all the Mir flight data are available in a very usable electronic format. The data show dramatic increases in particle flux density when Mir passed through the South Atlantic Anomaly. Analyses are underway to quantify the radiation flux density dependence on position in orbit, and the effects of radiation on the fiberoptic and phosphor screen materials. Results are expected in the near future. .

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

The X-ray Detector Test experiment on Mir does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The X-ray Detector Test experiment on Mir, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The X-ray Detector Test experiment on Mir will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1252519

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.