VEX-V-SW-ASPERA-2-NPI

Data Set Overview: This data set contains data collected by the Neutral Particle Imager (NPI) flown onboard the VENUS EXPRESS satellite during the nominal mission phase. The data are stored in ascending time order with respect to the sequential inflight data acquisition. The data (science and HK) in this archive are in standard PDS format and are both organized into fixedwidth tabular objects, an ASCII format with data store in rows and columns. 2 types of data are present, one for each selected operation mode (normal mode and deflection stepping mode). The tables related to the science data contain particle number counts measured by the active sectors within each sampling time. For those records where sample or anode data values are missing, the field is padded on the right with missing constant values ensuring a 32*32 blank separated value table object per record all along the mission. An NPI header, specific to each mode of observation, is added before the data collection. Instrument Description: The Neutral Particle Imager (NPI) measures integral ENA fluxes in the energy range 100 eV to 60 keV to help satisfy the following scientific objectives: 1. Determine the instantaneous global distributions of plasma and neutral gas near Venus 2. Energy deposition from the solar wind to the ionosphere In addition, there are 32 sectors for measuring simulteaneously the whole azimuthal range (over 2pi). General notes regarding fields of the data tables: * Strings appear in quotes * Integers, reals and PDS times do not require quotes * If a field is unknown, UNK may be entered * If a field is not applicable, N/A may be entered Data Products: Both data, scientific and housekeeping, are collected in this data set. Processing Science data are uncalibrated, levelstamped as level CODMAC 2, and housekeeping data truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]