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Optics and pre-flight testing of the telescopes of the "Extreme Universe Space Observatory on a Super Pressure Balloon II" (EUSO-SPB2) payload
Kungel, Viktoria
Kungel, Viktoria
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2023
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The Extreme Universe Space Observatory on a Super Pressure Balloon 2 (EUSO-SPB2) is a precursor for a space-based astroparticle observatory such as the Probe Of Extreme Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (POEMMA). EUSO-SPB2, scheduled for launch from Wanaka NZ in April/May 2023, will fly two novel telescopes to make new measurements from sub-orbital altitude. The Fluorescence telescope (FT) will make the first optic measurements of high-energy cosmic rays at the EeV scale, from sub-orbital space. The Cherenkov Telescope (CT) will make the first measurements of PeV energy cosmic rays from sub-orbital space by pointing above the earth's limb. It will also be tilted below the earth's limb to search for PeV energy neutrinos from astrophysical sources. The two telescopes feature segmented glass mirrors in Schmidt configuration. The telescopes have a UV/UV-visible sensitivity and point spread functions of a few mm. The FT demonstrates a significant performance improvement relative to the FT flown on EUSO-SPB1. Key features of the telescopes include the design and manufacture of the mirror mount system. The mirror bonds, that secure the glass segments to the mounting structure, achieve a strength that is in compliance with engineering requirements and regulations stated in the NASA Gondola Structural Design Requirements (820-PG-8700.0.1) 2019. A test beam was built to provide parallel light across the 1 m telescopes' entrance pupils, and the test beam system was then used to measure the telescopes' focus and optical efficiency. Both telescopes were successfully tested in the desert at the Utah Telescope Array (TA) site in 2022. A customized pulsed high-energy UV-laser system was used to test both telescopes. The telescopes recorded the night sky background, lasers, and artificial point sources. The FT field tests included an absolute photometric calibration of the telescope that is compared to a piece-wise laboratory calibration. Both telescopes are built, tested, and at the launch site ready for installation in the balloon gondola.
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