BackForwardInstrument:  IRM 

Instrument details
Acronym IRM
Full name Imaging and Rapid-scanning Ion Mass Spectrometer
Purpose To observe the mass composition and 3-D velocity distributions (energy and angular) of ions in the energy range of 0.1-100 eV and 1-40 amu/q
Short description Semi-autonomous ion detection and imaging system, based on a semi-toroidal electrostatic deflection system, a pair of fast-switching time-of-flight electrodes, a hemispherical electrostatic analyzer, a microchannel plate detector, and a 64-pixel anode. Energy range 0.1-100 eV
Background Part of a package of instruments to study the Magnetosphere
Scanning Technique Travelling cross the lower Magnetosphere in an elliptical orbit
Resolution N(A
Coverage / Cycle Lower magnetosphere, daily
Mass Power Data Rate

 

Providing Agency CSA
Instrument Maturity Flown on an R&D satellite
Utilization Period: 2014 to 2021
Last update: 2021-12-16
Detailed characteristics
Satellites this instrument is flying on

Note: a red tag indicates satellites no longer operational, a green tag indicates operational satellites, a blue tag indicates future satellites

Instrument classification
  • Solar and space environment monitors
  • Energetic particle spectrometer
WIGOS Subcomponents
  • Subcomponent 2
  • Magnetospheric energetic particles and magnetometers
  • Proton sensor [cross magnetosphere]
  • Alpha-particle sensor [cross magnetosphere]
  • Heavy ion sensor [cross magnetosphere]
  • Subcomponent 3
  • Neutral and Ion Mass Spectrometer
  • Heavy ions mass spectrometer [from LEO and HEO]
Mission objectives
Primary mission objectives
  • Alpha particles differential directional flux
  • Heavy ion flux energy and mass spectrum
  • Proton differential directional flux
Evaluation of Measurements

The following list indicates which measurements can typically be retrieved from this category of instrument. To see a full Gap Analysis by Variable, click on the respective variable.

Note: table can be sorted by clicking on the column headers
Note: * Primary mission objective.
VariableRelevance for measuring this variableOperational limitationsExplanation
Proton differential directional flux*2 - very highNo specific limitation.Magnetosphere, low energy (up to 40 keV)
Alpha particles differential directional flux*4 - fairNo specific limitation.Cross-magnetosphere. Low-medium energy range (<10 up to 100 MeV/n)
Heavy ion flux energy and mass spectrum*2 - very highNo specific limitation.Cross-magnetosphere. Low-medium energy range (<10 up to 100 MeV/n)