Dr Branden Allen on Opportunities and Applications for the Next Generation of X/γ-ray Detector Systems and Technologies

by Dr Branden Allen

Thursday Oct 24, 2024, 3:30 PM → 5:30 PM Pacific/Honolulu

Room 112 (Watanabe Hall)

UH Space Science and Engineering Initiative

During the last quarter century significant advances in semiconductor detector technologies have enabled the creation of compact and reliable spaceflight systems and devices that have greatly extended the reach and quality of our observations for astrophysics, planetary science and heliophysics.  In the case of high energy and time domain astrophysics this is particularly true of high-Z semiconductor systems that have made use of CdTe, CdZnTe (CZT) as well as high purity germanium (HPGe).

More recent advances in commercial spaceflight over the past decade have expanded opportunities for the deployment of these technologies, particularly with CubeSats (<~12 kg) and SmallSats (<500 kg), which have enabled the successful collection of targeted science data.  This trend is accelerating with the recent launch of the first generation of lunar landers through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, the planned return and extended settlement of humans on the lunar surface through the Artemis and Lunar Gateway programs, and the replacement of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030 with the Commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Destinations (CLDs) project.

I will give an overview of these parallel developments and discuss some of the future opportunities and observations that these programs and technologies will enable, including those that cut across traditional boundaries between disciplines within the space sciences.   I will also briefly discuss the role of the SSEI in these programs as well as potential future opportunities for student participation.

video - Dr. B. Allen