Cosmic-Ray and Solar-Particle Investigation (COSPIN)

The COSPIN (SIM) Experiment is a group of six charged particle telescopes to measure the energy, composition, intensity and anisotropy of nucleons in the energy range from ~0.5 MeV/nucleon to ~600 MeV/nucleon for elements in the range H to Ni. Isotopic abundances for nuclei H to Ni are obtained over a more limited energy range. Electron measurements extend from 4 to several hundred MeV.

One set of telescopes will measure the three-dimensional anisotropies of protons and helium at low energies. A special high flux telescope provides measurements of protons and heavier particles ~ 0.2 to ~ 10 MeV/n with high azimuthal resolution. These instruments were prepared by the international COSPIN consortium to address a wide range of scientific objectives made possible by a mission to investigate the Sun and the heliosphere in three dimensions. For more scientific information, visit the following COSPIN team websites:

COSPIN-AT at Imperial College, London
COSPIN-HET at the University of Chicago
COSPIN-LET at ESTEC
COSPIN-KET at Milan

Power and Mass Properties

 The instrument consists of 6 units:

Power Dissipation

Mass
kg

Mean

Peak

Heater

mA

W

mA

W

mA

W

SIM 1

Anisotropy Telescopes (AT1 & AT2)
Low Energy Telescope (LET)
Electronics, DPU

208.21

5.83

229.29

6.42

    

5.2123

SIM 2

High Energy Telescope (HET)
High Flux Telescope (HFT)
Electronics

93.07

2.61

126.46

3.54

64.20

1.80

4.7990

SIM 3A

KET electronics

53.21

1.49

60.82

1.70

    

2.4680

SIM 3B

KET sensor

-

-

-

-

    

SIM 4

Converters for SIM 1, SIM 2, SIM 3A & SIM 3B

165.71

4.64

176.91

4.95

    

0.7243

RTG Shield

HET protection from RTG Gamma radiation

            

1.5717

Total

 

520.20

14.57

593.48

16.61

64.20

1.80

14.7753

Operational issues

Monthly HET calibrations are performed. The HET heaters will remain switched off for the duration of the mission.