| IXO - Science Requirements |
| Overview of the key performance requirements for the IXO mission science objectives. |
| Publication date: 28 Apr 2009 |
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| IXO - Payload Definition Document |
This is SRE-PA/2009.019 issue 6 revision1
The Payload Definition Document (PDD) has been compiled by ESA with major inputs from the various instrument teams, forming part of the IXO Instrument Working Group (IWG). This document is agreed by the IWG chairmen as well as the IWG Instrument contact persons and contributors and describes a reference payload that satisfies the measurement requirements given in the Mission Requirements Document [AD-1].
This reference payload is used to establish the overall system design and the corresponding cost envelope. |
| Publication date: 24 Apr 2009 |
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| IXO Mission Concept |
Presentation of the IXO mission concept at the IXO Coordination Group meeting on 20 November 2008.
Contents:
- Introduction
- IXO mission requirements
- IXO mission analysis
- IXO configuration
- IXO instrument module
- IXO service module
- IXO mirror assembly
- Options
- Conclusion
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| Publication date: 16 Dec 2008 |
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| XEUS - Physics of the Hot Evolving Universe: CV proposal |
| This document is the XEUS proposal submitted to ESA in response to the Cosmic Vision call for proposals. It includes descriptions of the scientific objectives, mission profile, instrument payload, spacecraft, operations, and data archiving of XEUS. |
| Publication date: 29 Jun 2007 |
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| XEUS Payload Accommodation Study - Executive Summary |
| XEUS (X-ray Evolving Universe Spectroscopy) is one of the missions under consideration by ESA for its Cosmic Vision programme of advanced space exploration concepts set for launch in the 2015-2025 timeframe. Following-on from ESA successes in space observatories like XMM-Newton, XEUS relies on a number of innovative technologies to explore the universe at X-Ray wavelengths (e.g., micropore optics, formation flying control and detector and cooling technologies). Although the launch of XEUS is still some years away, the technology developments needed to meet the exacting science requirements mean that an early start is required to ensure that these technologies can be fully tested and qualified beforehand. At the same time this will enable XEUS to take full advantage of additional performance that these technologies can offer and deliver exciting new science. The XEUS Instrument Accommodation study was specifically focussed on assessing the spacecraft resource and technology development implications of carrying a suite of instruments on XEUS is thus the first step towards the successful implementation of XEUS. |
| Publication date: 17 Apr 2007 |
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| XEUS DSC PLM Accommodation Study - Executive Summary |
The XEUS payload module accommodation study is the basis for the forthcoming XEUS mission system study. The main objectives of the accommodation study are
- to define the preliminary Detector SpaceCraft PayLoad Module (DSC PL design)
- to identify the resources drivers
- to define the interfaces
- to assess the feasibility with core and extended instruments configuration
- to identify the potential solutions for cryogenic chain
- to identify the technology development and the critical issues
The Xeus mission goals are not achievable by means of a monolithic X-ray telescope but requires two satellites in a formation flying configuration at L2:
- The Mirror SpaceCraft (MSC) hosting the Telescope Module, a circular X-ray composite optics with a diameter of 4.25 metres
- The Detector SpaceCraft (DSC) hosting the Payload Module with core instruments of Wide Field Imager (WFI) and Narrow Filed Imager (NFI)
In the L2 Halo orbit, the MSC and DSC in formation flying, will operate like a large X-ray observatory with a focal length of 35 metres. |
| Publication date: 23 Mar 2007 |
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| Development Status of High Performance Pore Optics |
| The science requirements for an X-ray Observatory to be deployed in the post-XMM-Newton and Chandra era have been widely debated. Future spectroscopic investigations will require an enormous increase in collecting area to enable the use of the next generation of advanced spectrometers that will provide the necessary plasma diagnostics capability.
The key breakthrough needed is to combine a lightweight material which exhibits excellent X-ray reflecting properties, whilst achieving a self-supporting construction that avoids the distortions inherent in fixation of the optics elements. The progress towards such a breakthrough is reported in this Technical Note, describing a successful proof of concept demonstration of many disparate technology advances across a broad development front.
More detailed aspects of some of the development activities are provided in the comprehensive suite of papers presented at the 2006 SPIE Annual Symposium. Links to those papers are provided at:
http://www.rssd.esa.int/index.php?project=XEUS&page=SPIE_Documents
This note provides a brief overview of critical issues and some recent updates since the
publication of the above papers. |
| Publication date: 02 Mar 2007 |
|
| X-Ray Observatory Study preparation activities - Status Report #2 |
| The X-Ray Observatory (XRO), also known as XEUS (X-Ray Evolving-Universe Spectroscopy), is one of the potential future missions identified in the framework of the ESA Call for Themes issued in April 2004 [RD-CV1525].
A summary of the study evolution has been provided in the previous XRO status report [RSStRep] issued at the end of March 2006. The work of ESA and JAXA on the revised mission scenario has progressed further over the past 6 months, including internal as well as industrial activities and dedicated technology developments. |
| Publication date: 02 Nov 2006 |
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| ESA SP-1296: ESA's Report to the 36th COSPAR Meeting |
Scientific editor: R. Marsden
Editor: A. Wilson
The report for the 36th COSPAR Meeting covers, as in previous issues, the missions of the Scientific Programme of ESA in the areas of astronomy, Solar System science and fundamental physics. This year's COSPAR meeting will take place only weeks before the end of the SMART-1 mission to the Moon, a technology project that provided the first European look at our natural satellite from lunar orbit.In October of this year, a new mission will be launched: COROT. ESA, together with a number of countries, is contributing to this unique, French-led project that will provide an insight into the interior of the stars, by means of the asteroseismology technique successfully applied by SOHO. COROT will also perform a systematic search for new extrasolar planets using photometric transits.
The record number of ESA Science Programme missions in operation established at the time of the last report was maintained in 2006 (Huygens having been replaced in the list by Venus Express). Eleven different missions, involving 14 operating spacecraft, are providing excellent science to the worldwide scientific community. The Research and Scientific Support Department (RSSD) is responsible for the science operations of these missions and makes every effort to ensure the best possible science return. The Department also supports the realisation of approved projects in all phases of their development. |
| Publication date: 15 Jun 2006 |
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| XEUS Study preparation activities - Status Report |
| The X-Ray Observatory, also known as XEUS (X-Ray Evolving-Universe Spectroscopy), is one
of the potential future missions identified in the framework of the ESA Call for Themes issued
in April 2004. Preliminary studies on a post XMM-Newton mission assumed a LEO scenario,
with two spacecraft in formation flying, 5 m² (at 1 keV) effective area mirror and a focal length of
35 m. The mirror optics was originally based on the same technology used for XMM (replicated
nickel mirrors), while the mission scenario was assuming a multiple launch approach and the
use the ISS as servicing post for the observatory. |
| Publication date: 31 Mar 2006 |
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| XEUS Instrument Package |
| The XEUS (X-ray Evolving Universe Spectroscopy) mission is designed to explore the X-ray emission from objects in the Universe at high red shifts. A core set of instruments has been selected that allows the scientific goals of the mission to be met. It comprises narrow field imaging spectrometers of both Transition Edge Sensor (TES) and Superconducting Tunnel Junction (STJ) designs, and a Wide Field Imager with novel Silicon Active - Pixel sensing elements. We discuss the additional science goals for XEUS such as high time resolution, polarimetry and extensions to high energies >10keV, and the additional instruments with modest resource requirements which may facilitate these goals.
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| Publication date: 30 Aug 2005 |
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| The XEUS X-ray Telescope |
| The X-ray telescope forms the core of the high energy astrophysics observatory XEUS, currently under study at ESA as a well positioned candidate for its Cosmic Visions 1525 Science Programme, which is presently under formulation.
The science requirements of XEUS are particularly demanding, combining a large effective area (10m2 at 1 keV), moderate angular resolution (5"
requirement, with a goal of 2"), and a low mass for the optics system. The preferred operational orbit for XEUS is a halo orbit around the Lagrangian Point 2 (L2). Background and costing considerations
led to the requirement of a single focal plane location, which in combination with the required broad energy response function, in turn requires a focal length of 50m. The mission design is based on formation flying, with the Mirror Spacecraft (MSC) flying inertially, and the Detector Spacecraft (DSC) actively following the focal point. The ambitious XEUS telescope relies on the novel X-ray technology currently under development in Europe. The X-ray optics technology development activities and status as well as the telescope design in general are addressed. |
| Publication date: 10 Aug 2005 |
|
| XEUS CDF Report |
| The objectives of the study were to perform a system conceptual design and trades, prepare a
preliminary system design including budgets and subsystem designs with required performance,
show science requirements compliance, define critical design issues requiring further analysis
and assess and analyse programme, risk and costs. Further the constraints imposed by the chosen
design were analysed and described, where appropriate. This document reports on the analysis
performed and conclusions drawn for an X-ray Evolving Universe Spectroscopy conceptual
design. |
| Publication date: 01 Oct 2004 |
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| ESA SP-1276: ESA's Report to the 35th COSPAR Meeting |
Scientific editor: A. Gimenez
Editor: A. Wilson
The report for the 35th COSPAR Meeting covers, as in previous issues, the missions
of the Scientific Programme of ESA in the areas of astronomy, Solar System
exploration and fundamental physics. This year's COSPAR Meeting occurs only
weeks after the Saturn-orbit insertion of the Cassini spacecraft - carrying Europe's
Huygens probe to explore the atmosphere of Titan - and at the same time as the
launch of the second satellite of the Double Star project. |
| Publication date: 15 Jun 2004 |
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| ESA SP-1259: ESA's Report to the 34th COSPAR Meeting |
Scientific editor: B. Foing
Editor: A. Wilson
The report to the 34th COSPAR Meeting covers the missions of the Scientific Programme of ESA in the areas of astronomy, Solar System exploration and fundamental physics. |
| Publication date: 01 Oct 2002 |
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