Abstract
Space instruments rely heavily on modeling to predict and understand the
instrument response, enabling a determination of the capabilities and
resolution. The Bayesian approach provides a framework to incorporate
prior knowledge and propagate uncertainty to predict the instrument
response. We present an empirical Bayes model for the end-to-end
performance of the Helium, Oxygen, Proton, and Electron (HOPE) mass
spectrometers aboard the Van Allen Probes mission. In this model, we use
a combination of external modeling, laboratory calibration, and expert
opinion to construct the time-of-flight spectra and demonstrate good
agreement with on-orbit data. The empirical Bayes model is applied to
explore doubly charged ions and carbon, nitrogen, oxygen discrimination
during the Van Allen Probes mission.