Acute Precipitation Electron Spectrometer (APES-360): Multi-look Direction Magnetic Electron Spectrometer for High Time-Resolution Measurements

Completed TRL 4 (started at 3, targeting 4)

Description

Will develop a multiple look direction magnetic electron spectrometer that allows ultra-fast measurements of suprathermal electrons at all pitch angles with pitch angle resolution and time resolution. It can be used for sounding rocket missions to the auroral zones, cubesat polar orbital mission around the Earth and future spacecraft missions to planets with a magnetosphere.

Benefits

Provide the ability to measure suprathermal electrons over all pitch angles with improved angular resolution and time resolution.

Develop magnetic spectrometers that will not interfere with spacecraft magnetometers.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > In Situ Instruments and Sensors > Field and Particle Detectors
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2018-10-01
End date	2021-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Nikolaos Paschalidis — nikolaos.paschalidis@nasa.gov
Steven D Christe — steven.d.christe@nasa.gov
Robert G Michell — robert.g.michell@nasa.gov
Edward C Sittler — edward.c.sittler@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.