SIMBOL-X : an Hard X-Ray Formation Flying Mission

Paper number

IAC-06-A3.1.08

Author

Mr. Jean-Paul Aguttes, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Coauthor

Mr. Rodolphe Cledassou, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Coauthor

Mr. Philippe Ferrando, CEA, France

Coauthor

Mr. Paul Duchon, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Year

2006

Abstract

The SIMBOL-X project is a high energy new generation telescope covering by a single instrument a continuous energy range starting at classical X-rays and extending to hard X-rays ie from 0.5 to 80 keV. It is using in this field a focalizing payload which until now was only used at energy below 10 keV, via the construction of a telescope distributed on two satellites flying in formation: A mirror and a detector. SIMBOL–X permits a gain of two orders of magnitude in sensibility and spatial resolution in comparison to state of the art hard X-rays instruments. SIMBOL-X is a “permanent observatory” which propose a great number of observations (~500 per year) and a great variety of these sources. 
The paper describes the pre-feasibility studies performed by CNES in partner ship with CEA (scientist side). Several options were considered at different levels:
-	Payload configuration:  focal length, mirror size and thickness, collimator options ( to reject the diffuse X-ray emissions) 
-	Orbit (HEO, L2) and launching ( 2 satellites attached or Sylda separation)    
-	Formation Flying slave/master distribution between the two satellites
-	Formation Flying Metrology  ( RF and/or optic) and actuation (Hydrazine or Cold gaz)
-	Heritage options for the bus
-	..
The selected scenarios, after technical and cost trade-offs, offer a good robustness to the  mission (mass margin) while the required technologies are either available or on development. 
This project is selected,  among four formation flying missions studied in parallel in CNES, for a feasibility phase in 2006 that is planned to be performed in partnership with Italy (ASI) in view of a future joint CNES/ASI project. 

Abstract document

IAC-06-A3.1.08.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-A3.1.08.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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