Latest advancements of the HERD space mission

Abstract

The High Energy cosmic-Radiation Detection (HERD) facility is one of the leading projects among future space-borne instruments to be installed on-board the Chinese Space Station (CSS), around 2027. Its main scientific goals include: accurate measurements of Cosmic Ray (CR) energy spectra up to the highest achievable energies in space (∼ few PeV), gamma-ray astronomy and transient studies, along with indirect searches for Dark Matter (DM). HERD is uniquely configured to accept particles from both its top and four lateral sides. Due to its novel design, an order of magnitude increase in geometric acceptance is foreseen, compared to current generation experiments. HERD is configured around a highly-segmented (55 X0, 3 λI) 3D calorimeter (CALO). A Fiber Tracker (FIT) is installed on all active sides, with a Plastic Scintillator Detector (PSD) covering both instruments. Finally, a Silicon Charge Detector (SCD) envelops the aforementioned sub-detectors, while a Transition Radiation Detector (TRD) is situated on one of the lateral sides, for energy calibration in the TeV range. A detailed overview of HERD will be provided in this contribution, with emphasis on recent detector advancements, ongoing and upcoming activities.