Cosmic-ray energetics and mass (CREAM) balloon project

• Published in: Advances in space research Vol. 33; no. 10; pp. 1777 - 1785
• Main Authors: Seo, E.S., Ahn, H.S., Beatty, J.J., Coutu, S., Choi, M.J., DuVernois, M.A., Ganel, O., Kang, T.G., Kim, K.C., Lee, M.H., Lutz, L., Marrocchesi, P.S., Minnick, S., Min, K.W., Nutter, S., Park, H., Park, I.H., Schindhelm, E., Sina, R., Swordy, S., Wu, J., Yang, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2004
• Subjects: Cosmic-ray measurements; CREAM; Particle detectors; Scientfic balloon payloads; Antarctica; Scientfic balloon payloads; Cosmic-ray measurements; Particle detectors; CREAM
• ISSN: 0273-1177; 1879-1948
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2003.05.019

The cosmic-ray energetics and mass (CREAM) investigation is designed to measure cosmic-ray composition to the supernova energy scale of 10 15 eV in a series of ultra long duration balloon (ULDB) flights. The first flight is planned to be launched from Antarctica in December 2004. The goal is to observe cosmic-ray spectral features and/or abundance changes that might signify a limit to supernova acceleration. The particle charge ( Z) measurements will be made with a timing-based charge detector and a pixelated silicon charge detector to minimize the effect of backscatter from the calorimeter. The particle energy measurements will be made with a transition radiation detector (TRD) for Z>3 and a sampling tungsten/scintillator calorimeter for Z⩾1 particles, allowing inflight cross calibration of the two detectors. The status of the payload construction and flight preparation are reported in this paper.