Title :
The Constellation X-ray mission: exploring the mysteries of matter in the universe
Author :
Grady, Jean F. ; Gadwal, Govind R.
Author_Institution :
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
Abstract :
The Constellation-X, a premier observatory for probing black holes and investigating the structure of the Universe, is planned for launch in late 2008. This observatory will consist of a constellation of identical space based X-ray telescopes, with a large total collecting area and sensitivity one hundred times previous missions. The current Reference Mission Configuration consists of four satellites, which are launched, two at a time, into operational orbit at the Sun-Earth libration point, L2. Development is currently underway to demonstrate several mission critical technologies including: large lightweight grazing incidence X-ray optics, improved X-ray detectors (microcalorimeters, CCDs and CdZnTe detectors) with sensitivities from 0.25 to 40 kiloelectron volts (keV), sub-Kelvin coolers for detectors, lightweight mass producible reflection gratings, and multi-layer coatings for X-rays up to 40 keV
Keywords :
X-ray astronomy; artificial satellites; astronomical telescopes; 0.25 to 40 keV; CCDs; CdZnTe detectors; Constellation X-ray mission; Constellation-X; Reference Mission Configuration; Sun-Earth libration point; Universe structure; black holes; detectors; four satellites; improved X-ray detectors; lightweight grazing incidence X-ray optics; microcalorimeters; mission critical technologies; multi-layer coatings; reflection gratings; sensitivity; space based X-ray telescopes; total collecting area; Mission critical systems; Observatories; Optical reflection; Optical sensors; Satellites; Space missions; Space technology; Telescopes; X-ray detection; X-ray detectors;
Conference_Titel :
Aerospace Conference, 2001, IEEE Proceedings.
Conference_Location :
Big Sky, MT
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-6599-2
DOI :
10.1109/AERO.2001.931447
