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Instrument: MXGS
Instrument details
Acronym
MXGS
Full name
Modular X-ray and Gamma-ray Sensor
Purpose
Detection of Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGF)
Short description
Set of two detectors senstive in the spectral bands from 15 keV to 400 keV (low energy) and from 200 keV to 40 MeV (high energy).
Background
MXGS works in association to the Modular Multispectral Imaging Array (MMIA).
Scanning Technique
Array of 128 x 128 detectors nadir pointing over an 80° x 80° field of view. Time resolution 1-5 ms
Resolution
2.8 km at s.s.p.
Coverage / Cycle
Limited to latitudes consistent with the ISS orbit inclination (51.6°)
Mass
Power
Data Rate
Providing Agency
ESA
Instrument Maturity
Flown on an R&D satellite
Utilization Period:
2018 to ≥2022
Last update:
2021-10-02
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 Space radiometer or spectrometer
WIGOS Subcomponents
Subcomponent 3 Gamma-ray spectrometer [from GEO, HEO, MEO, LEO] X-ray spectrometer [from GEO, HEO, MEO, LEO]
Mission objectives
Tentative 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
Variable Relevance for measuring this variable Operational limitations Explanation
Gamma-ray flux 3 - high No specific limitation. Gamma-ray imager observing the Earth's surface to detect Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGF)
X-ray flux 3 - high No specific limitation. X-ray imager observing the Earth's surface to detect Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGF)