SP@M: a medium-energy particle detector for the M-MATISSE mission

M-MATISSE is an ESA Medium class candidate (M7 call) in phase A study. M-MATISSE would place two spacecraft in orbit around Mars to study the solar wind – magnetosphere – ionosphere – atmosphere coupling at the red planet. Amongst the comprehensive payload of M-MATISSE, the Mars Ensemble of Particle Instruments (M-EPI) includes a low-energy neutral and ion detector, an electron spectrometer, and a medium-energy particle instrument.

For M-MATISSE and the M-EPI package, IRAP and its partners are developing the Solar Particles @ Mars (SP@M) experiment to study 30 keV to 1 MeV electrons and 30 keV to 10 MeV ions. The main scientific objective of SP@M is the characterization of Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) and suprathermal particle populations throughout the Martian magnetosphere and atmosphere. This characterization is essential to understand atmospheric escape, SEP-induced aurorae, and radar blackouts. It would also advance the assessment of radiation risk for future robotic and human missions to Mars.

SP@M would employ 8 detection units per spacecraft, 4 dedicated to electrons and 4 to ions. Each detection unit would use a single thick SSD (thickness of 1 to 1.5 mm) suitable for the targeted energy range. In this presentation, we will introduce the phase A activities of the instrument, including the mechanical and electronics design of SP@M, the electron-ion discrimination strategy, and simulations of the expected performances.