Particle energy determination device for the International Space Station using a new approach to cosmic ray spectral measurements (TUS-M Mission)

A new approach to the measurement of high energy cosmic ray nuclei (E>1011 eV) is proposed. The method is based on measuring the primary particle energy by determining the angular distribution of secondaries produced in a target layer. The proposed technique can be used over a wide range of energies (1011–1016 eV) and gives an energy resolution of 60% or better. This approach is being utilized to design a new advanced instrument (KLEM) for future space station and satellite cosmic ray experiments. Due to its light weight and large aperture the newly developed instrument will allow a dramatically increased exposure factor and will enable the directly measured energy range in cosmic ray research to be extended up to and beyond 1016 eV. A reduced scale version of this new instrument (project TUS-M) has already been accepted for exposure in the Russian Segment of the International Space Station. The essence of the TUS-M project is to test and confirm the new technique under flight conditions. During a one-yea...