Using the Trek ultraheavy galactic cosmic ray collector onboard Mir, we have measured the abundances of even-Z elements from 76 Os through the actinides in the galactic cosmic rays, with a charge resolution of ∼0.45e, roughly a three-fold improvement in resolution over pioneering measurements by HEAO, Ariel, and UHCRE onboard LDEF. Building on the successful design of Trek, we plan to design and construct ECCO, a large array of BP-1 glass track-etch detectors which would be deployed on the International Space Station. ECCO, the Extremely Heavy Cosmic Ray Composition Observer, would have sufficient charge resolution and collecting power to accurately measure the abundances of the very rare actinides with respect to each other and with respect to the platinum-group. These abundance measurements will strongly distinguish between models of GCR origin. We are verifying a promising new detector concept, which would result in significant cost savings, and would have several technical advantages over previous detector configurations; also, we are testing an advanced gas-transfer hodoscope for ECCO. Finally, we are constructing mockup ECCO modules for flight testing in preparation for a launch in 2003 and supporting an accommodation and design study for ECCO at GSFC.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    ECCO: The extremely heavy cosmic ray composition observer


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Space technology and applications international forum -1999 ; 1999 ; Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA)


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 458 , 1 ; 120-126


    Publication date :

    1999-01-22


    Size :

    7 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    ECCO: The Extremely Heavy Cosmic Ray Composition Observer

    Westphal, A. J. / Budinoff, J. / Collins, C. M. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000


    ECCO: The Extremely Heavy Cosmic Ray Composition Observer

    Westphal, A. J. / Weaver, B. A. / Lin, C.-L. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1999


    ECCO: The extremely heavy cosmic ray composition observer

    Westphal, A. J. / Budinoff, J. / Collins, C. M. et al. | American Institute of Physics | 2000



    AIAA-2001-5099 International Space Station Non-Standard Site Utilization: ECCO (Extremely-Heavy Cosmic-Ray Composition Observer)

    Carter, R. / Park, B. / Collins, C. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2001