Results of the development of the MXT x-ray telescope for the SVOM mission

Abstract

SVOM (space-based multi-band astronomical variable objects monitor) is a mission developed within a Sino-French cooperation context and dedicated to the detection, localization and study of gamma ray bursts (GRBs) and other high-energy transient phenomena. Four instruments, operating in different wavelengths, are implemented on board in order to perform GRB detection and observations. The MXT instrument, developed by the National French Space Agency (CNES) in collaboration with CEA, MPE, IJCLab and the University of Leicester, is dedicated to the observation of GRB afterglows in the soft x-ray band and is one of the four instruments implemented on the Chinese satellite. First the design chosen of this instrument will be described and then the main results of the qualification campaign performed with the development models as EQM or STM and PFM models will be presented, as much at the instrument level as at the SVOM satellite QM level. Then, we will present how flight model design has been updated regarding the qualification campaign results. Furthermore, it will be presented how the performance of this kind of instrument is evaluated or measured through several models at sub system level or at instrument level. Finally, we will provide as a conclusion the main steps which have been achieved for this kind of development and give our main feedback.