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First Operation of TES Microcalorimeters in Space with the Micro-X Sounding Rocket
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Micro-X is a sounding rocket-borne instrument that uses a microcalorimeter array to perform high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy. This instrument flew for the first time on July 22nd, 2018 from the White Sands Missile Range, USA. This flight marks the first successful operation of a Transition-Edge Sensor array and its time division multiplexing read-out system in space. This launch was dedicated to the observation of the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A. A failure in the attitude control system prevented the rocket from pointing and led to no time on target. The on-board calibration source provided X-rays in flight, and it is used to compare detector performance during pre-flight integration, flight, and after the successful post-flight recovery. This calibration data demonstrates the capabilities of the detector in a space environment as well as its potential for future flights.<br />Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, Accepted to the JLTP for LTD-18
- Subjects :
- Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
Subjects
Details
- Database :
- arXiv
- Publication Type :
- Report
- Accession number :
- edsarx.1908.09689
- Document Type :
- Working Paper
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10909-019-02293-5