Multi Look-Direction Magnetic Electron Spectrometer for Auroral Studies (APES-360)

The main objective of this project is to build, test and calibrate a prototype of a magnetic electron spectrometer that will have 16 different look-directions with the capability of making measurements of electron spectra in each look direction with a cadence of 1 ms. This project would make use of technology that was previously developed for the acute precipitating electron spectrometer (APES) that makes use of magnetic deflection in order to make 1 ms cadence measurements of the electron spectra in one look-direction. This instrument proposed here also makes use of a magnetic sector geometry that has already been developed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) for a circular Wien filter with applications in ion mass spectrometry. This instrument would use a micro- channel plate (MCP) based detection system with an arrangement of discrete anodes for energy and azimuthal determination. The associated amplification, discrimination and readout electronics would be similar to that used in the original APES instrument, with modifications to fit a circular geometry and an increase in the number of channels. The proposed instrument will cover an energy range of 1 keV to 20 keV, separated into 12 energy bins. A thorough calibration of the prototype in the vacuum chamber will be done in order to determine the final energy range and resolution. We are leveraging existing technology and some preliminary proof-of- concept designs done here at GSFC in order to raise the technology readiness level (TRL) of this instrument from the current level of TRL 2 to a final level of TRL 5.

Support NASA's Heliophysics strategic science objectives to understand the Sun and its interactions with Earth and the solar system, including space weather. This will be achieved by developing/demonstrating instrumentation technology necessary to address the following science goals: Explore the physical processes in the space environment from the Sun to the Earth and throughout the solar system; Advance our understanding of the connections that link the Sun, the Earth, planetary space environments, and the outer reaches of our solar system; Develop the knowledge and capability to detect and predict extreme conditions in space to protect life and society and to safeguard human and robotic explorers beyond Earth.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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.