The LUCID-Timepix spacecraft payload and the CERN@school educational programme

Abstract

The Langton Ultimate Cosmic ray Intensity Detector (LUCID) is a payload onboard the satellite TechDemoSat-1, used to study the radiation environment in Low Earth Orbit (∼635km). LUCID operated from 2014 to 2017, collecting over 2.1 million frames of radiation data from its five Timepix detectors on board. LUCID is one of the first uses of the Timepix detector technology in open space, with the data providing useful insight into the performance of this technology in new environments. The data has been analysed using computing resources provided by GridPP, with a novel machine learning algorithm. For managing the LUCID data, we have developed an online platform called Timepix Analysis Platform at School (TAPAS). This provides a swift and simple way for users to analyse data that they collect using Timepix detectors from both LUCID and other school based Timepix projects. These projects constitute a secondary school programme 'CERN@school' that give a framework for novel implementations of conventional classroom experiments using Timepix, as well as letting students contribute to large international scientific collaborations and devise their own research projects. K : Space instrumentation; Charged particle detection; Radiation monitoring; Analysis and statistical methods 1Corresponding author.

Using open experimental data of the European Organization for Nuclear Research in the process of studying the physics of elementary particles

“…It also aims to inspire the next generation of physicists and engineers, with participants being part of a national collaboration of students, teachers, and scholars to analyze data obtained from Earth and space probes to make new, curiosity-driven discoveries in schools [15]. These projects represent a secondary school program CERN@school, which provides a framework for the novel implementation of traditional classroom experiments using Timepix and allows students to contribute to large international scientific collaborations and develop their research project [16].…”

REX: X-ray experiment on the water recovery rocket

“…Timepix has already been extensively tested in space [29], e.g. onboard the International Space Station [30,31], the Proba-V satellite [32], CubeSat VZLUSAT-1 [22,33,34], TechDemoSat-1 [35,36], and RISESAT [37]. Two spare detectors from the RISESAT project were used for the REX payload.…”

Provision and use of GPU resources for distributed workloads via the Grid

“…One such experiment was the LUCID detector on board the TechDemoSat-1 launched in late 2014. The detector was used to study the radiation environment in Low Earth Orbit [10]. As a schools based program local compute resources were limited and the data was analysed using computing resources provided by GridPP collaboration.…”