PAMELA – A payload for antimatter matter exploration and light-nuclei astrophysics

Abstract

The PAMELA experiment is a satellite-borne apparatus designed to study charged particles in the cosmic radiation with a particular focus on antiparticles. PAMELA is mounted on the Resurs DK1 satellite that was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome on June 15 th 2006. The PAMELA apparatus comprises a time-of-flight system, a magnetic spectrometer, a silicon-tungsten electromagnetic calorimeter, an anticoincidence system, a shower tail catcher scintillator and a neutron detector. The combination of these devices allows antiparticles to be reliably identified from a large background of other charged particles. This paper reviews the design, space qualification and on-ground performance of PAMELA. The in-orbit performance will be discussed in future publications. * Deceased.

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“…The Resurs-DK1 satellite, which hosts the apparatus, was launched into a semipolar (70 ∘ inclination) and elliptical (350-610 km altitude) orbit on 15 June 2006. The instrument consists of a magnetic spectrometer equipped with a silicon tracking system, a time-of-flight system shielded by an anticoincidence system, an electromagnetic calorimeter, and a neutron detector [Picozza et al, 2007]. Details about apparatus performance, proton selection, detector efficiencies, and experimental uncertainties can be found elsewhere [see, e.g., Adriani et al, 2013].…”

Charge identification in PAMELA: preliminary results on light nuclei.

“…PAMELA is a satellite-borne experiment [1] built to detect charged particles in cosmic rays with particular attention to antiparticles. PAMELA is in orbit from June 15th 2006.…”

Performance of the PAMELA Si-W imaging calorimeter in space

“…Other important scientific goals include: the study of solar physics and solar modulation during the 24 th solar minimum, and the study of the cosmic-ray electron energy spectrum up to several TeV, thereby allowing possible contributions from local sources to be identified [1]. Table 1 shows the design goals for PAMELA performance, presenting the cosmic-ray components and energy ranges over which PAMELA will give new results.…”

“…PAMELA is installed inside a pressurized container mounted onboard the Russian Resurs DK-1 earth-observation satellite that was launched into space by a Soyuz-U rocket on June 15 th , 2006 from the Baikonur cosmodrome (Kazakhstan) [1]. The satellite orbit is elliptical and quasi-polar, with an inclination of 70.4º and an altitude varying between 350 and 610 km.…”