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Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD), Level 2 Observation Dosimetry, LET, and Neutral-Particle Data

Donald M. Hassler (2026). Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD), Level 2 Observation Dosimetry, LET, and Neutral-Particle Data [Dataset]. Space Physics Data Facility. https://doi.org/10.48322/20qb-4e17 .

Note: Proper references, including those in BibTex or other formats , should include the "Accessed on date" as shown above to identify the version of the resource being cited in a given publication.

ResourceID
spase://NASA/NumericalData/MarsScienceLaboratory/RAD/Observation/Level2

Description

Mars Science Laboratory Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) Level 2 observation data for Mars surface operations. The record contains quality-filtered variables, identified by the _f suffix, and corresponding all-quality variables for detector alive time, dose-rate products, linear energy transfer (LET) spectra, and neutral-radiation histograms, together with associated bin and axis support variables and the FLAGGED_DATA quality indicator. Dose products include total detector B dose rate, MMRTG-corrected detector B dose rate, detector E dose rate, and 16 sub-observation time-slice values. Neutral histograms represent neutron and gamma-ray events measured by detectors D and E. The RAD instrument is described in detail by Hassler et al. (2012).

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Details

Version:2.7.2

MetadataRightsList

Rights
SchemeURI
https://spdx.org/licenses/
RightsIdentifierScheme
SPDX
RightsIdentifier
CC0-1.0
RightsURI
https://spdx.org/licenses/CC0-1.0.html
RightsName
Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal
Note
CC0 1.0 Universal is the Creative Commons license applicable to all publicly available SPASE metadata descriptions

Version:2.7.2

NumericalData

ResourceID
spase://NASA/NumericalData/MarsScienceLaboratory/RAD/Observation/Level2
NamingAuthority
NASA
ResourceType
NumericalData
ResourceHeader
ResourceName
Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD), Level 2 Observation Dosimetry, LET, and Neutral-Particle Data
AlternateName
MSL_RAD_OBS-L2
DOI
https://doi.org/10.48322/20qb-4e17
ReleaseDate
2026-10-03 19:00:04Z
RevisionHistory
RevisionEvent
ReleaseDate
2025-07-07 12:34:56.789Z
Note
Initial release of metadata, ADAPT generated, LFB
RevisionEvent
ReleaseDate
2026-09-16 12:34:56.789Z
Note
Curated and checked for SPASE 2.7.2 structural and semantic consistency, OK
RevisionEvent
ReleaseDate
2026-10-03 19:00:04Z
Note
Added DOI. tlk
Description

Mars Science Laboratory Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) Level 2 observation data for Mars surface operations. The record contains quality-filtered variables, identified by the _f suffix, and corresponding all-quality variables for detector alive time, dose-rate products, linear energy transfer (LET) spectra, and neutral-radiation histograms, together with associated bin and axis support variables and the FLAGGED_DATA quality indicator. Dose products include total detector B dose rate, MMRTG-corrected detector B dose rate, detector E dose rate, and 16 sub-observation time-slice values. Neutral histograms represent neutron and gamma-ray events measured by detectors D and E. The RAD instrument is described in detail by Hassler et al. (2012).

Acknowledgement
Please acknowledge the RAD Principal Investigator Dr. Donald M. Hassler, the MSL/RAD data providers, and NASA/GSFC SPDF/CDAWeb when using these data.
PublicationInfo
Authors
Donald M. Hassler
PublicationDate
2026-10-03 15:17:54.000Z
PublishedBy
Space Physics Data Facility
Contacts
Role Person StartDate StopDate Note
1. PrincipalInvestigator spase://SMWG/Person/Donald.M.Hassler
InformationURL
Name
The Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) Investigation
URL
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11214-012-9913-1
Description

Instrument description in The Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) Investigation by Hassler et al. (2012).

Language
en
InformationURL
Name
MSL RAD Reduced Data Record Software Interface Specification
URL
https://pds-ppi.igpp.ucla.edu/data/MSL-M-RAD-3-RDR-V1.0/DOCUMENT/RAD_RDR_SIS.PDF
Description

RAD reduced-data product structure, processing, histogram, and dosimetry definitions.

Language
en
AccessInformation
RepositoryID
spase://SMWG/Repository/NASA/GSFC/SPDF/CDAWeb
Availability
Online
AccessRights
Open
RightsList
Rights
SchemeURI
https://spdx.org/licenses/
RightsIdentifierScheme
SPDX
RightsIdentifier
CC0-1.0
RightsURI
https://spdx.org/licenses/CC0-1.0.html
RightsName
Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal
Note
CC0 1.0 Universal is the Creative Commons license applicable to all publicly available NASA Heliophysics data products
AccessURL
Name
FTPS from SPDF (not with most browsers)
URL
ftps://spdf.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/data/aaa_planetary/msl/rad/cdf/obs-l2/
ProductKey
MSL_RAD_OBS-L2
Description

Access to Data in CDF Format via ftps from SPDF

AccessURL
Name
HTTPS from SPDF
URL
https://spdf.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/data/aaa_planetary/msl/rad/cdf/obs-l2/
ProductKey
MSL_RAD_OBS-L2
Description

Access to Data in CDF Format via https from SPDF

AccessURL
Name
CDAWeb
URL
https://cdaweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eval2.cgi?dataset=MSL_RAD_OBS-L2&index=sp_phys
ProductKey
MSL_RAD_OBS-L2
Description

Access to ASCII, CDF, and plots via NASA/GSFC CDAWeb

Format
CDF
Encoding
None
Acknowledgement
Please acknowledge the Principal Investigator D.M. Hassler, the MSL/RAD data providers, and NASA/GSFC SPDF/CDAWeb when using these data.
ProcessingLevel
Calibrated
InstrumentIDs
spase://SMWG/Instrument/MarsScienceLaboratory/RAD
MeasurementType
EnergeticParticles
TemporalDescription
TimeSpan
StartDate
2011-11-20 18:29:59.000Z
RelativeStopDate
P0D
ObservedRegion
Mars
Parameter #1
Name
Alive Time of detector electronics
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
ALIVE_TIME_f
Description

[Quality filtered] Actual instrument observation time

Units
s
RenderingHints
DisplayType
TimeSeries
AxisLabel
Alive Time
ValueFormat
F8.2
ValidMin
0.00
ValidMax
5000.00
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Support
SupportQuantity
Temporal
Parameter #2
Name
Total Dose for B both total, and corrected for RTG background
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
DOSIMETRY_TOTAL_f
Description

[Quality filtered] Radiation dose rate on Mars (recorded in Si, corrected for MMRTG contribution, and tissue-equivalent plastic)

Units
µGy/day
RenderingHints
DisplayType
TimeSeries
ValueFormat
F10.3
Structure
Size
3
Element
Name
Total Dose B
Index
1
Element
Name
RTG Corrected Dose B
Index
2
Element
Name
Total Dose E
Index
3
ValidMin
0.000
ValidMax
100000.000
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Mixed
MixedQuantity
Other
Qualifier
Array
Parameter #3
Name
Total Dose for B and E in 1/16th time increments of an observation
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
DOSIMETRY_TIMESLICE_f
Description

[Quality filtered] Dose-rate array for detectors B and E at 16 sub-observation time slices; dimension 1 uses DOSIMETRY_TIMESLICE_AXIS and dimension 2 uses DOSIMETRY_DOSE_AXIS.

Units
µGy/day
RenderingHints
DisplayType
Spectrogram
ValueFormat
F10.3
Structure
Size
16 3
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Mixed
MixedQuantity
Other
Qualifier
Array
Parameter #4
Name
Bin start time
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
DOSIMETRY_TIMESLICE_AXIS
Description

Start-time support axis for the 16 sub-observation dosimetry intervals.

Units
rclk
RenderingHints
AxisLabel
1/16th timestamp
ValueFormat
I10
ScaleType
LinearScale
Structure
Size
16
ValidMin
0
ValidMax
9999
FillValue
4294967295
Support
Qualifier
Array
SupportQuantity
Temporal
Parameter #5
Name
Total Dose
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
DOSIMETRY_DOSE_AXIS
Description

Three-element support axis identifying total detector B dose rate, MMRTG-corrected detector B dose rate, and total detector E dose rate.

Units
µGy/day
RenderingHints
AxisLabel
Dosimetry
ValueFormat
I4
Structure
Size
3
ValidMin
0
ValidMax
255
FillValue
255
Support
Qualifier
Array
SupportQuantity
Other
Parameter #6
Name
LET spectrum in silicon
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
LET_A1A2_f
Description

[Quality filtered] LET spectrum on Mars in Si (geometric factor ~ 0.9 cm^2 sr)

Units
counts
RenderingHints
DisplayType
Spectrogram
AxisLabel
LET A1+A2
ValueFormat
F10.2
ScaleType
LogScale
Structure
Size
52
ValidMin
0.00
ValidMax
1000000.00
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Particle
ParticleType
Proton
ParticleType
AlphaParticle
ParticleType
Ion
Qualifier
Array
ParticleQuantity
Counts
Parameter #7
Name
Bin Start
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
LET_BIN_ENERGY
Description

LET bin-start value for the 52-element silicon LET spectrum.

Units
keV/micron
RenderingHints
AxisLabel
Energy
ValueFormat
F10.2
Structure
Size
52
ValidMin
0.00
ValidMax
45000.00
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Support
Qualifier
Array
SupportQuantity
Other
Parameter #8
Name
Det. D + Det. E counts
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
HISTOGRAM_NEUTRAL_DE_f
Description

[Quality filtered] Neutral particle (neutrons + gamma rays) counts on Mars

Units
counts
RenderingHints
DisplayType
Spectrogram
AxisLabel
Neutral D+E
ValueFormat
F12.3
ScaleType
LogScale
Structure
Size
96
ValidMin
0.000
ValidMax
10000000.000
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Mixed
MixedQuantity
Other
ParticleType
Neutron
Qualifier
Array
Parameter #9
Name
Counts in Det. D
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
HISTOGRAM_NEUTRAL_D_f
Description

[Quality filtered] Neutral particle counts in CsI

Units
counts
RenderingHints
DisplayType
Spectrogram
AxisLabel
Neutral D
ValueFormat
F12.3
ScaleType
LogScale
Structure
Size
96
ValidMin
0.000
ValidMax
10000000.000
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Mixed
MixedQuantity
Other
ParticleType
Neutron
Qualifier
Array
Parameter #10
Name
Counts in Det. E
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
HISTOGRAM_NEUTRAL_E_f
Description

[Quality filtered] Neutral particle counts in tissue-equivalent plastic

Units
counts
RenderingHints
DisplayType
Spectrogram
AxisLabel
Neutral E
ValueFormat
F12.3
ScaleType
LogScale
Structure
Size
96
ValidMin
0.000
ValidMax
10000000.000
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Mixed
MixedQuantity
Other
ParticleType
Neutron
Qualifier
Array
Parameter #11
Name
Alive Time of detector electronics
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
ALIVE_TIME
Description

[All quality] Actual instrument observation time

Units
s
RenderingHints
DisplayType
TimeSeries
AxisLabel
Alive Time
ValueFormat
F8.2
ValidMin
0.00
ValidMax
5000.00
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Support
SupportQuantity
Temporal
Parameter #12
Name
Total Dose for B both total, and corrected for RTG background
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
DOSIMETRY_TOTAL
Description

[All quality] Radiation dose rate on Mars (recorded in Si, corrected for MMRTG contribution, and tissue-equivalent plastic)

Units
µGy/h
RenderingHints
DisplayType
TimeSeries
ValueFormat
F10.3
Structure
Size
3
Element
Name
Total Dose B
Index
1
Element
Name
RTG Corrected Dose B
Index
2
Element
Name
Total Dose E
Index
3
ValidMin
0.000
ValidMax
100000.000
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Mixed
MixedQuantity
Other
Qualifier
Array
Parameter #13
Name
Total Dose for B and E in 1/16th time increments of an observation
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
DOSIMETRY_TIMESLICE
Description

[All quality] Dose-rate array for detectors B and E at 16 sub-observation time slices; dimension 1 uses DOSIMETRY_TIMESLICE_AXIS and dimension 2 uses DOSIMETRY_DOSE_AXIS.

Units
µGy/h
RenderingHints
DisplayType
Spectrogram
ValueFormat
F10.3
Structure
Size
16 3
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Mixed
MixedQuantity
Other
Qualifier
Array
Parameter #14
Name
LET spectrum in silicon
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
LET_A1A2
Description

[All quality] LET spectrum on Mars in Si (geometric factor ~ 0.9 cm^2 sr)

Units
counts
RenderingHints
DisplayType
Spectrogram
AxisLabel
LET A1+A2
ValueFormat
F10.2
ScaleType
LogScale
Structure
Size
52
ValidMin
0.00
ValidMax
1000000.00
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Particle
ParticleType
Proton
ParticleType
AlphaParticle
ParticleType
Ion
Qualifier
Array
ParticleQuantity
Counts
Parameter #15
Name
Det. D + Det. E counts
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
HISTOGRAM_NEUTRAL_DE
Description

[All quality] Neutral particle (neutrons + gamma rays) counts on Mars

Units
counts
RenderingHints
DisplayType
Spectrogram
AxisLabel
Neutral D+E
ValueFormat
F12.3
ScaleType
LogScale
Structure
Size
96
ValidMin
0.000
ValidMax
10000000.000
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Mixed
MixedQuantity
Other
ParticleType
Neutron
Qualifier
Array
Parameter #16
Name
Counts in Det. D
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
HISTOGRAM_NEUTRAL_D
Description

[All quality] Neutral particle counts in CsI

Units
counts
RenderingHints
DisplayType
Spectrogram
AxisLabel
Neutral D
ValueFormat
F12.3
ScaleType
LogScale
Structure
Size
96
ValidMin
0.000
ValidMax
10000000.000
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Mixed
MixedQuantity
Other
ParticleType
Neutron
Qualifier
Array
Parameter #17
Name
Counts in Det. E
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
HISTOGRAM_NEUTRAL_E
Description

[All quality] Neutral particle counts in tissue-equivalent plastic

Units
counts
RenderingHints
DisplayType
Spectrogram
AxisLabel
Neutral E
ValueFormat
F12.3
ScaleType
LogScale
Structure
Size
96
ValidMin
0.000
ValidMax
10000000.000
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Mixed
MixedQuantity
Other
ParticleType
Neutron
Qualifier
Array
Parameter #18
Name
Bin Start Energy
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
HISTOGRAM_BIN_ENERGY_D
Description

Energy at the start of the bin for detector D

Units
MeV
RenderingHints
DisplayType
TimeSeries
AxisLabel
Energy
ValueFormat
F12.3
Structure
Size
96
ValidMin
0.000
ValidMax
10000000.000
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Support
Qualifier
Array
SupportQuantity
Other
Parameter #19
Name
Bin Start Energy
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
HISTOGRAM_BIN_ENERGY_E
Description

Energy at the start of the bin for detector E

Units
MeV
RenderingHints
DisplayType
TimeSeries
AxisLabel
Energy
ValueFormat
F12.3
Structure
Size
96
ValidMin
0.000
ValidMax
10000000.000
FillValue
-1.0e+31
Support
Qualifier
Array
SupportQuantity
Other
Parameter #20
Name
Flagged data should be removed for science
Set
Time series defined by using: EPOCH
ParameterKey
FLAGGED_DATA
Description

Data-quality indicator. Flagged values identify observations with quality issues from commanding, DAN activity, or other sources; the source metadata states that flagged data should be removed for science use.

RenderingHints
AxisLabel
Flagged Data
ValueFormat
A16
Support
SupportQuantity
DataQuality
Parameter #21
Name
Epoch TT2000
ParameterKey
EPOCH
Description

CDF TT2000 epoch time tag for each RAD observation.

Units
day-month-year hour:minute:second
RenderingHints
AxisLabel
Epoch
ValidMin
2005-01-01T00:00:00.000000000
ValidMax
2035-01-01T00:00:00.000000000
FillValue
9999-12-31T23:59:59.999999999
Support
SupportQuantity
Temporal