GRBAlpha: the smallest astrophysical space observatory -- Part 1: Detector design, system description and satellite operations

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2302.10048
• Publication Date: 2023-01-01
• Authors: András Pál; M. Ohno; László Mészáros; Norbert Werner; J. Řípa; B. Csák; Marianna Dafčíková; Marcel Frajt; Y. Fukazawa; Péter Hanák; Ján Hudec; Nikola Husáriková; Jakub Kapuš; Miroslav Kasal; Martin Kolář; Martin Koleda; Robert László; Pavol Lipovský; Tsunefumi Mizuno; F. Münz; K. Nakazawa; Maksim Rezenov; Miroslav Šmelko; H. Takahashi; M. Topinka; Tomáš Urbanec; Jean-Paul Breuer; Tamás Bozóki; G. Dálya; Teruaki Enoto; Z. Frei; Gergely Friss; Gábor Galgóczi; Filip Hroch; Yuto Ichinohe; Kornél Kapás; L. L. Kiss; Hiroto Matake; Hirokazu Odaka; H. Poon; Aleš Povalač; János Takátsy; Kento Torigoe; Nagomi Uchida; Yuusuke Uchida
• Keywords: CubeSat

Aims. Since launched on 2021 March 22, the 1U-sized CubeSat GRBAlpha operates and collects scientific data high-energy transients, making it smallest astrophysical space observatory to date. is an in-obit demonstration of a gamma-ray burst (GRB) detector concept suitably small fit into standard 1U volume. As was demonstrated in companion paper, adds significant value community with accurate characterization bright GRBs, including recent outstanding event GRB 221009A. Methods. The 75x75x5 mm CsI(Tl) scintillator wrapped reflective foil (ESR) read out by array SiPM detectors, multi-pixel photon counters Hamamatsu, driven two separate, redundant units. To further protect block from sunlight detectors particle radiation, we apply multi-layer structure Tedlar wrapping, anodized aluminium casing lead-alloy shielding one edge assembly. setup allows observations gamma radiation within energy range 70-890 keV resolution ~30%. Results. Here, summarize system design mission, electronics software components detector, some aspects platform as well current way semi-autonomous operations. In addition, details are given about raw products telemetry order encourage for expansion receiver network our initiatives related experiments.