Astrophysics Miniature UV Spatial Spectrometer (AMUSS)

Mapping the distribution of diagnostic UV (FUV) emission lines (from atomic, ionic, and molecular species) is critical to understanding the structure and evolution of galaxies, including our own. Many astrophysical objects that produce these FUV emission lines, such as the interstellar medium of our Galaxy and the circumgalactic medium around nearby galaxies, are angularly-extended, diffuse and very faint. It has often been challenging to observe such targets because traditional slit-spectrographs lack the sensitivity to disperse the low photon flux into a large number of spectral resolution elements (R~100,000) and cannot detect the faint FUV emission spectra from these important astrophysical targets without the need to large aperture telescopes. The proposed technology maturation for the Astrophysics Miniaturized UV Spatial Spectrometer (AMUSS) is based on an interferometric technology called Spatial Heterodyne Spectrometer (SHS) that enables AMUSS to obtain ultra-high sensitivity data from angularly-extended, faint diffuse targets such as the interstellar medium of our Galaxy and the circumgalactic medium around nearby galaxies over a targeted narrow wavelength range. AMUSS is configurable for various spectral lines with a very narrow bandpass anywhere from the FUV to the visible region. For the purpose of this project, AMUSS is configured to target the C IV doublet at 1541 Å and 1556 Å at high spectral resolution (R> 100,000). For that reason, this concept applies to more than one mission and is capable of meeting multiple science objectives. This APRA project matures our existing TRL 3 SHS module to TRL 4. The low-mass, compact configuration of AMUSS enables sensitive, high-resolution spectroscopy from SmallSat missions. SmallSats and rideshare opportunities are increasingly playing a more significant role in NASA and provide the benefits of low cost, low risk, but are challenging because of their requirement for a low payload mass. Current investigations to study faint, diffuse astrophysics targets are accomplished by large instruments with considerable demands on spacecraft resources (mass, power, volume). AMUSS is based on a different technique design that reduces the mass, size, and power requirements by orders of magnitude while increasing the spectral resolution and sensitivity to address targetted fundamental science objectives in astrophysics as well as solar space weather research. AMUSS's specifications and objectives fall under the High-performance spectral dispersion component/device priority table in the Cosmic Origins annual technology report. AMUSS will provide a unique high sensitive spectroscopic UV platform in space for studying line emission from diffuse and major astrophysical constituents of our Universe. These studies address the fundamental Cosmic Origins Program question, "How did the Universe originate and evolve to produce the galaxies, stars, and planets we see today?'' which is directly relevant to NASA's overarching Astrophysics goal of addressing: "How did we get here?"

The Astrophysics Research and Analysis program (APRA) supports suborbital and suborbital-class investigations, development of detectors and supporting technology, laboratory astrophysics, and limited ground based observing. Basic research proposals in these areas are solicited for investigations that are relevant to NASA's programs in astronomy and astrophysics, including the entire range of photons, gravitational waves, and particle astrophysics. The emphasis of this solicitation is on technologies and investigations that advance NASA astrophysics missions and goals.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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