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ATC
SEM-2 Spectrometer To Be Launched On The MetOp-B Satellite
June 7, 2012
The Meteorological Operation-B (MetOp-B) Polar Orbiting
Satellite is being readied for launch within the year, and will be used to monitor Earth
and Space weather, and improve weather forecasts. MetOp-B includes the SEM-2 Spectrometer
developed by ATC and Amptek, Inc., which will measure electron and proton fluxes
with a range of 50eV-140MeV. SEM-2 consists of three components. The Total Energy
Detector (TED), at 9.9lbs/1.1W, measures the intensity in selected energy bands from
50eV to 20KeV. The Medium Energy Proton Electron Detector (MEPED), at 18.3 lbs/3.7 W,
measures protons, electrons, and ions from 30KeV to >140MeV. The Data Processing
Unit (DPU) controls the TED and MEPED, and provides the satellite interface. SEM-2
will contribute to solar terrestrial energy knowledge by enabling MetOp-B to measure
the intensity of the Earth's radiation belts, and the flux of charged particles at
the satellite's altitude.
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