The BRITE-Constellation Nanosatellite Space Mission And Its First Scientific Results

G Handler,W W Weiss,A Pigulski,A F J Moffat,G A Wade,A Schwarzenberg-Czerny,C Neiner,A A Pamyatnykh,D Baade,S M Ruciński,J M Matthews,K Zwintz,J Rowe,O Koudelka,G Orleański,R Kuschnig,R Smolec,A Popowicz

doi:10.1051/epjconf/201716001001

Abstract

The BRIght Target Explorer (BRITE) Constellation is the first nanosatellite mission applied to astrophysical research. Five satellites in low-Earth orbits perform precise optical two-colour photometry of the brightest stars in the night sky. BRITE is naturally well suited for variability studies of hot stars. This contribution describes the basic outline of the mission and some initial problems that needed to be overcome. Some information on BRITE data products, how to access them, and how to join their scientific exploration is provided. Finally, a brief summary of the first scientific results obtained by BRITE is given.

Highlights

A BRIght Target Explorer (BRITE) is a nanosatellite designed as a cube of 20 × 20 × 20 cm edge length that weighs approximately 7 kg
Based on data collected by the BRITE Constellation satellite mission, designed, built, launched, operated and supported by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), the University of Vienna, the Technical University of Graz, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS), the Foundation for Polish Science & Technology (FNiTP MNiSW), and National Science Centre (NCN)
More detailed accounts about the basic goals and outline of the BRITE-Constellation mission have been given by [1] and [2]. We briefly summarize these articles and the first science results, and provide a glimpse into BRITE operations for prospective users

Summary

Introduction

A BRIght Target Explorer (BRITE) is a nanosatellite designed as a cube of 20 × 20 × 20 cm edge length that weighs approximately 7 kg. It carries a 3-cm telescope with a wide field of view (about 24o on the sky, nearly unvignetted) that feeds an uncooled 4008 × 2672-pixel KAI11002M CCD. Based on data collected by the BRITE Constellation satellite mission, designed, built, launched, operated and supported by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), the University of Vienna, the Technical University of Graz, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS), the Foundation for Polish Science & Technology (FNiTP MNiSW), and National Science Centre (NCN). We briefly summarize these articles and the first science results, and provide a glimpse into BRITE operations for prospective users

Scientific goals and observations

BRITE data products and policies

First scientific results

Findings

Conclusions