Journal article
The SLICE, CHESS, and SISTINE Ultraviolet Spectrographs: Rocket-Borne Instrumentation Supporting Future Astrophysics Missions
Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation, Vol.5(1), 1640001
03/2016
DOI: 10.1142/S2251171716400018
Abstract
NASA's suborbital program provides an opportunity to conduct unique science experiments above Earth's atmosphere and is a pipeline for the technology and personnel essential to future space astrophysics, heliophysics, and atmospheric science missions. In this paper, we describe three astronomy payloads developed (or in development) by the Ultraviolet Rocket Group at the University of Colorado. These far-ultraviolet (UV) (100-160 nm) spectrographic instruments are used to study a range of scientific topics, from gas in the interstellar medium (accessing diagnostics of material spanning five orders of magnitude in temperature in a single observation) to the energetic radiation environment of nearby exoplanetary systems. The three instruments, Suborbital Local Interstellar Cloud Experiment (SLICE), Colorado High-resolution Echelle Stellar Spectrograph (CHESS), and Suborbital Imaging Spectrograph for Transition region Irradiance from Nearby Exoplanet host stars (SISTINE) form a progression of instrument designs and component-level technology maturation. SLICE is a pathfinder instrument for the development of new data handling, storage, and telemetry techniques. CHESS and SISTINE are testbeds for technology and instrument design enabling high-resolution (R > 10(5)) point source spectroscopy and high throughput imaging spectroscopy, respectively, in support of future Explorer, Probe, and Flagship-class missions. The CHESS and SISTINE payloads support the development and fiight testing of large-format photon-counting detectors and advanced optical coatings: NASA's top two technology priorities for enabling a future flagship observatory (e.g. the LUVOIR Surveyor concept) that offers factors of similar to 50-100 gain in UV spectroscopy capability over the Hubble Space Telescope. We present the design, component level laboratory characterization, and flight results for these instruments.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The SLICE, CHESS, and SISTINE Ultraviolet Spectrographs: Rocket-Borne Instrumentation Supporting Future Astrophysics Missions
- Creators
- Kevin France - Univ Colorado, Lab Atmospher & Space Phys, Boulder, CO 80309 USAKeri Hoadley - University of Colorado BoulderBrian T. Fleming - University of Colorado BoulderRobert Kane - University of Colorado BoulderNicholas Nell - University of Colorado BoulderMatthew Beasley - Planetary Science InstituteJames C. Green - Univ Colorado, Ctr Astrophys & Space Astron, Boulder, CO 80309 USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation, Vol.5(1), 1640001
- Publisher
- World Scientific
- DOI
- 10.1142/S2251171716400018
- ISSN
- 2251-1717
- eISSN
- 2251-1725
- Number of pages
- 20
- Grant note
- NNX10AC66G; NNX13AF55 / NASA; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/2016
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984429052702771
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