GRBAlpha: The smallest astrophysical space observatory : I. Detector design, system description, and satellite operations

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216224%3A14310%2F23%3A00131595" target="_blank" >RIV/00216224:14310/23:00131595 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2302.10048" target="_blank" >https://arxiv.org/abs/2302.10048</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202346182" target="_blank" >10.1051/0004-6361/202346182</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

GRBAlpha: The smallest astrophysical space observatory : I. Detector design, system description, and satellite operations

Original language description

Aims. Since it launched on 22 March 2021, the 1U-sized CubeSat GRBAlpha operates and collects scientific data on high-energy transients, making it the smallest astrophysical space observatory to date. GRBAlpha is an in-orbit demonstration of a gamma-ray burst (GRB) detector concept suitably small to fit into a standard 1U volume. As was demonstrated in a companion paper, GRBAlpha adds significant value to the scientific community with accurate characterization of bright GRBs, including the recent outstanding event of GRB 221009A. Methods. The GRB detector is a 75 × 75 × 5 mm CsI(Tl) scintillator wrapped in a reflective foil (ESR) read out by an array of SiPM detectors, multi-pixel photon counters by Hamamatsu, driven by two separate redundant units. To further protect the scintillator block from sunlight and protect the SiPM detectors from particle radiation, we applied a multi-layer structure of Tedlar wrapping, anodized aluminium casing, and a lead-alloy shielding on one edge of the assembly. The setup allows observations of gamma radiation within the energy range of 70–890 keV with an energy resolution of ~30%. Results. Here, we summarize the system design of the GRBAlpha mission, including the electronics and software components of the detector, some aspects of the platform, and the current semi-autonomous operations. In addition, details are given about the raw data products and telemetry in order to encourage the community to expand the receiver network for our initiatives with GRBAlpha and related experiments.

Czech name

—

Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10308 - Astronomy (including astrophysics,space science)

Project

—

Continuities

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2023

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Astronomy & Astrophysics

ISSN

0004-6361

e-ISSN

1432-0746

Volume of the periodical

677

Issue of the periodical within the volume

September

Country of publishing house

FR - FRANCE

Number of pages

9

Pages from-to

1-9

UT code for WoS article

001062452800005

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85170825919