STATUS OF THE SPACE ENVIRONMENT MONITOR FOR NPOESS (SEM-N)

The SEM-N is the next generation operational sensor suite for measuring the characteristics of precipitating charged particles in low-earth orbit. Measurements from the SEM-N will provide 5 of the NPOESS space Environmental Data Records (EDRs), including the Auroral Boundary, Auroral Energy Deposition, Supra-thermal through Auroral Energy Particles, Medium Energy Charged Particles, and Energetic Ions. The SEM-N sensor suite consists of separate instruments covering the complete electron (proton) energy range from 30 eV to 1 MeV (140 MeV). The 3 separate instruments are used primarily for measuring; 1) auroral electrons and protons in the energy range from 30 eV to 30 keV, 2) precipitating radiation belt electrons and ions in the energy range from several ten's of keV to above 1 MeV, and 3) solar protons with energies from 10 MeV to greater than 140 MeV. Each of these sensors is based on heritage designs used on current meteorological satellites operated by the United States (U.S.) and by the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites or on current scientific missions for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Existing operational algorithms are also being adapted to process the sensor data records into the assigned set of space EDRs. The SEM-N sensor hardware and processing algorithms will be provided to the NPOESS development contractor as Government Furnished Equipment for integration onto C1 and C3. This presentation will provide the status of the SEM-N development program including discussion of the sensor hardware and associated algorithms for the NPOESS EDRs that will be incorporated into space weather operations within the NOAA NWS Space Weather Prediction Center and the U.S. Air Force Weather Agency.