Session
Science/Mission Payloads Research & Academia
Location
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Abstract
Star-Planet Research CubeSat (SPARCS) is a 6U space telescope dedicated to monitoring flares from low-mass stars in the ultraviolet (UV). SPARCS observations of flares across 20 solar systems will be used to better understand the atmospheric evolution, chemistry, and potential habitability of the most common type of exoplanets. SPARCS’ camera uses delta-doped CCD detectors, which are several times more sensitive in the UV than previous detectors. This is technology necessary for future studies of habitable-worlds and star–planet interactions by future missions, such as NASA’s flagship mission, the Habitable Worlds Observatory. SPARCS orbits in the “6am terminator” orbit, which provides a continuous view of stars which can be tracked inertially without time lost to settling. For similar reasons the orbit also provides long periods of time under near continuous solar power. As a space telescope, SPARCS requires observation planning, target selection, and time-critical scheduling. The mission uses the KSAT ground network with high latitude locations that provide many access opportunities. Use of a commercial system also introduces additional complexity in coordinating passes, data handling, and command planning compared to a dedicated station. These challenges are offset by the availability of many contact windows during business hours which substantially simplifies operations. SPARCS is operated at Arizona State University by undergraduate students trained and supervised by ASU’s Interplanetary Lab. Under faculty and senior student management, student operators monitor and command the spacecraft, plan observing, troubleshoot anomalies, and analyze science data. In this way students gain valuable experience while demonstrating that students can meaningfully contribute to a research-grade space telescope. In the first six months of operations SPARCS has completed thousands of observations of a range of low-mass stars and calibration targets. First light images and an observation of the Moon demonstrate spacecraft pointing accuracy and CCD performance.
Document Type
Event
Operating the SPARCS Space Telescope
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Star-Planet Research CubeSat (SPARCS) is a 6U space telescope dedicated to monitoring flares from low-mass stars in the ultraviolet (UV). SPARCS observations of flares across 20 solar systems will be used to better understand the atmospheric evolution, chemistry, and potential habitability of the most common type of exoplanets. SPARCS’ camera uses delta-doped CCD detectors, which are several times more sensitive in the UV than previous detectors. This is technology necessary for future studies of habitable-worlds and star–planet interactions by future missions, such as NASA’s flagship mission, the Habitable Worlds Observatory. SPARCS orbits in the “6am terminator” orbit, which provides a continuous view of stars which can be tracked inertially without time lost to settling. For similar reasons the orbit also provides long periods of time under near continuous solar power. As a space telescope, SPARCS requires observation planning, target selection, and time-critical scheduling. The mission uses the KSAT ground network with high latitude locations that provide many access opportunities. Use of a commercial system also introduces additional complexity in coordinating passes, data handling, and command planning compared to a dedicated station. These challenges are offset by the availability of many contact windows during business hours which substantially simplifies operations. SPARCS is operated at Arizona State University by undergraduate students trained and supervised by ASU’s Interplanetary Lab. Under faculty and senior student management, student operators monitor and command the spacecraft, plan observing, troubleshoot anomalies, and analyze science data. In this way students gain valuable experience while demonstrating that students can meaningfully contribute to a research-grade space telescope. In the first six months of operations SPARCS has completed thousands of observations of a range of low-mass stars and calibration targets. First light images and an observation of the Moon demonstrate spacecraft pointing accuracy and CCD performance.
