Sounding rocket for high-resolution soft X-ray spectroscopy

Abstract

Astrophysical X-rays tell us about the high-energy Universe, but to observe them our instruments need to get above the atmosphere. NASA has a low risk approach to new technology on orbital missions that have budgets of hundreds of millions of dollars, so a high risk, low cost method of testing new technologies in space is required.

Sounding rockets fill this niche. With an average launch cost of ~$10 million and fast build times of ~2 years, sounding rockets can take new (high risk) technologies and test them in space. This not only de-risks the technology for future missions, but it allows sounding rockets to do high-performance, targeted science that would be impossible on a large scale mission. The fast build times also make sounding rocket missions perfect for graduate student dissertations.

This talk will focus on the Rocket for Extended-source X-ray Spectroscopy (tREXS) that just launched from White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. This novel instrument was designed to take a medium resolution spectrum of the Cygnus Loop Supernova Remnant. With X-ray optics, reflection gratings, and a silicon-based camera (all developed at Penn State), tREXS attempted to measure X-rays across the entire 3 degree by 3 degree extent of the supernova remnant in order to better understand its temperature profile and metallicity.

Bio

Dr. James Tutt is an associate research professor in the department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Penn State University. Dr. Tutt's PhD was in the development of silicon-based cameras for soft X-ray detection, before he moved to the USA to work with Dr. Randall McEntaffer on sounding rocket payloads. tREXS is Dr. Tutt's 3rd sounding rocket payload, with a 4th due to launch in February 2024. [see https://www.jamestutt.com]