Development of the ATHENA mirror
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Bavdaz, Marcos
•
Wille, Eric
•
Ayre, Mark
•
Ferreira, Ivo
•
Shortt, Brian
•
Fransen, Sebastiaan
•
Collon, Maximilien
•
Vacanti, Giuseppe
•
Barrière, Nicolas
•
Landgraf, Boris
•
Sforzini, Jessica
•
Booysen, Karin
•
van Baren, Coen
•
Zuknik, Karl-Heinz
•
Della Monica Ferreira, Desiree
•
Massahi, Sonny
•
Christensen, Finn
•
Krumrey, Michael
•
Müller, Peter
•
Burwitz, Vadim
•
•
•
Valsecchi, Giuseppe
•
Vernani, Dervis
•
Oliver, Paul
•
Seidel, André
Description
The authors wish to thank the many contributors to the progress achieved on the preparation of the ATHENA optics technology. The joint effort of all individuals involved, and the support provided by their companies and institutions, is essential to the progress on the many fronts of development.
Abstract
The 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), 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.
Coverage
Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray
All editors
den Herder, Jan-Willem A.; Nikzad, Shouleh; Nakazawa, Kazuhiro
Series
Volume
10699
Start page
106990X
Conferenece
Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray
Conferenece place
Austin, Texas, United States
Conferenece date
10-15 June, 2018
Issn Identifier
0277-786X
Ads BibCode
2018SPIE10699E..0XB
Rights
open.access
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