Compact Electron-Proton Spectrometer (CEPS)

The NASA Space Radiation Analysis Group and Advanced Exploration Radworks have a long history of using Timepix based radiation monitors for human health protection in space. These include 7 “REM” detectors flying on ISS, “BIRD” that flew on Orion EFT-1, “HERA” flying on ISS and flown on Artemis 1 and “LETS” flying in Heliocentric orbit on Biosentinel and flown on the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander. This project encompasses the mid-TRL development of the “Compact Electron Proton Spectrometer” (CEPS) a low power (<3 W), miniature Space Weather instrument (< 1 cu ft, < 4lbs) for extended (up to 10 year) lunar operations. CEPS will autonomously measure proton and electron spectra on the lunar surface in an energy range directly targeted for use in operational space weather prediction models. These models provide key inputs for decision making during a large space weather event. The electrons measured by CEPS will provide input for the RELeASE model which can provide up to an hour of early warning of hazardous energetic particles, while the proton measurements provide inputs for UMASEP which provides an estimate of the peak flux of energetic particles that will be generated by an event. In addition, CEPS will measure dose levels and LET spectra, making it an instrument that is directly tailored to the operational needs of human spaceflight by combining space weather and human health measurement capabilities. The mass and power profile makes it suitable for a variety of operations such as an unmanned lander or rover, or as part of a long-term instrument suite. It will also be suitable as a spacecraft-based asset for space weather monitoring and for direct crew protection via real-time alerting of adverse space weather, e.g. placed on the roof of a manned rover or surface habitat. This technology, the development of which was funded by AES Radworks and a NASA JSC IRAD is currently TRL4 for the proposed application. TRL 6 development of CEPS will encompass integration of the Timepix2 CdTe detector with a rad hard avionics package, a heater circuit and development of a mechanical enclosure that provides FOD protection during lunar transit and a mechanical dust cap to open the sensor to space once on the lunar surface. Detailed thermal design and analysis will enable the device to operate in direct sunlight during lunar noon. The completed instrument package will be tested to NASA GEVS qualification standards for shock, vibe and thermal-vacuum tests. CEPS will be demonstrated by testing it with electrons and protons at accelerator facilities. By the end of this effort a CEPS instrument will be ready for submission for a lunar surface mission.

CEPS addresses a number of goals from the Artemis III Science Definition Team Report, specifically 7m-2, “Provide real time environmental information relevant to daily lunar operations”. It is also broadly relevant to heliophysics space weather goals 5a and 5b “Heliophysical Investigations using the Moon”, and as a radiation instrument can support biological objectives, e.g. 7d, “Study the effects of lunar radiation on biological model systems”. In addition instruments like CEPS are required for the “National Space Weather Strategy” section 2.4 which calls for federal agencies to “Identify, develop, and test innovative approaches to enable enhanced, more informative, robust, and cost-effective measurements” for Space Weather “Characterization and Forecasting”. The major technical innovation in the CEPS is the use of a Timepix2 detector with a thick Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) sensor to measure space radiation. The high stopping power of the CdTe sensor allows for spectral measurements of electrons up to 2 MeV and protons up to 150 MeV in an extremely compact package. The state-of-the-art Timepix2 detector allows for measurements in extremely high flux environments, up to and including the largest solar particle events.

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