Conference paper
Development of the ATHENA mirror
ESTEC1
National Institute for Astrophysics2
Media Lario S.r.l.3
Thales Alenia Space Switzerland AG4
Teledyne Technologies5
Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology6
Cosine Measurement Systems7
Micronit Microfluidics B.V.8
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research9
OHB-System AG10
National Space Institute, Technical University of Denmark11
Astrophysics and Atmospheric Physics, National Space Institute, Technical University of Denmark12
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt13
Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics14
...and 4 moreThe development of the X-ray optics for ATHENA (Advanced Telescope for High ENergy Astrophysics)[1-4], the selected second large class mission in the ESA Science Programme, is progressing further, in parallel with the payload preparation and the system level studies. The optics technology is based on the Silicon Pore Optics (SPO) [5-48], which utilises the excellent material properties of Silicon and benefits from the extensive investments made in the semiconductor industry.
With its pore geometry the SPO is intrinsically very robust and permits the use of very thin mirrors while achieving good angular resolution. In consequence, the specific mass of the resultant ATHENA optics is very low compared to other technologies, and suitable to cope with the imposed environmental requirements.
Further technology developments preparing the ATHENA optics are ongoing, addressing additive manufacturing of the telescope structure, the integration and alignment of the mirror assembly, numerical simulators, coating optimisations, metrology, test facilities, studies of proton reflections and meteorite impacts, etc.
A detailed Technology Development Plan was elaborated and is regularly being updated, reflecting the progress and the mission evolution. The required series production and integration of the many hundred mirror modules constituting the ATHENA telescope optics is an important consideration and a leading element in the technology development.
The developments are guided by ESA, implemented in industry and supported by research institutions. The many ongoing SPO technology development activities aim at demonstrating the readiness of the optics technology at the review deciding the adoption of ATHENA onto the ESA Science flight programme, currently expected for 2021.
Technology readiness levels of 5/6 have to be demonstrated for all critical elements, but also the compliance to cost and schedule constraints for the mission.
Language: | English |
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Publisher: | SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering |
Year: | 2018 |
Pages: | 106990X-106990X-15 |
Proceedings: | SPIE Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray |
Series: | Proceedings of Spie |
ISBN: | 1510619518 , 1510619526 , 9781510619517 and 9781510619524 |
ISSN: | 1996756x and 0277786x |
Types: | Conference paper |
DOI: | 10.1117/12.2313296 |
ORCIDs: | Della Monica Ferreira, Desiree , Massahi, Sonny and Christensen, Finn |