Design and Qualification of an Airborne, Cosmic Ray Flux Measurement System

Abstract

The paper presents the design and qualification tests of an airborne experimental setup to determine cosmic ray-flux in the lower stratospheric regions of the earth's atmosphere. The concept of coincidence is implemented to preferentially detect cosmic rays and reject noise and particles that are incident at large angles but otherwise have similar characteristics, and are therefore inseparable from the particles of interest by conventional detection techniques. The experiment is designed to measure cosmic ray flux at two altitudes extending to a maximum height of 30 km from mean-sea-level. The experimental setup is to be lifted using a High Altitude Balloon (HAB). The setup is designed and tested to withstand extreme temperature and pressure conditions during the flight in the stratosphere. It includes a cosmic ray telescope, a data acquisition system, a power supply systems, and peripheral sensors. In the present endeavor, the payload design and results from qualification tests are included.