Review of the Development of the In-Satellite Particle Detector for the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite-1

The In-Satellite Particle Detector onboard the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite-1 (CBERS-1) was the first space particle radiation detection payload developed by the project team at Peking University. The main objective of this payload was to monitor the high-energy electron and proton radiation environment inside the satellite. The payload probe consists of an electron probe and a proton probe. The electron probe is a ΔE-E telescope composed of a 100 um-thick silicon surface barrier detector and a 5000 μm-thick lithium drift detector, capable of measuring electrons ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 MeV and above 2.0 MeV, while eliminating proton contamination. The proton probe is a telescope consisting of two silicon surface barrier detectors with thicknesses of 100 μm and 450 μm respectively, capable of measuring protons ranging from 5 to 30 MeV and 30 to 60 MeV. From the task assignment in 1987 to the delivery of the flight-mode payload in 1998, the development process underwent four stages: principle-mode, electrical-mode, qualification-mode, and flight-mode, spanning over 11 years. On October 14, 1999, the CBERS-1/01 satellite was successfully launched. The In-Satellite Particle Detector was powered on three days later and successfully transmitted data, and then operated normally in orbit until the end of the satellite's lifespan. After preprocessing the payload’s data and matching it with satellite orbit information, the data suitable for scientific research was obtained. The data analysis proved that the In-Satellite Particle Detector performs well in orbit, and its observations are in accord with expectations. Based on the payload’s data, several papers on radiation belt research have been published. The successful development of the In-Satellite Particle Detector onboard CBERS-1 marks a milestone in the development of space particle detectors by Chinese universities, and lays a solid foundation for the subsequent development of space detection payloads at Peking University.