Abstract
Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are intense and short-lived cosmic explosions. Miniaturised CubeSat-compatible instruments for the study of GRBs are being developed to help bridge the gap in large missions and assist in achieving full sky coverage. CubeSats are small, compact satellites conforming to a design standard and have transformed the space industry. They are relatively low-cost and are developed on fast timescales, which has provided unparalleled access to space. This paper focuses on GMOD, the gamma-ray module, onboard the 2U CubeSat EIRSAT-1, launched on December 1st 2023. GMOD is a scintillation-based instrument with a cerium bromide crystal coupled to an array of sixteen silicon photomultipliers, designed for the detection of GRBs. The characterisation of GMOD in the spacecraft, along with the validation of an updated spacecraft MEGAlib model is presented and this approach can be followed by other CubeSats with similar science goals. The energy resolution of the flight model is 7.07% at 662 keV and the effective area peaks in the tens to hundreds of keV, making it a suitable instrument for the detection of GRBs. An investigation into the instrument’s angular response is also detailed. The results from this characterisation campaign are a benchmark for the instrument’s performance pre-launch and will be used to compare with the detector’s performance in orbit.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
