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Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 4)
We propose to continue the on-going development of Miniature X-ray Optics (MiXO). Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (MIXS) on Bepicolombo is about to open a new era of planetary X-ray observations with micro-pore based focusing X-ray optics. The Lunar X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (LuXIS, formally known as CubeX), a new SmallSat mission concept selected for the NASA Planetary Science Deep Space SmallSat Studies program, is designed to study lunar elemental abundance through X-ray fluorescence and to demonstrate the feasibility of deep space navigation through X-ray pulsar timing. LuXIS employs Electroformed Nickel Replicated (ENR) focusing X-ray optics for planetary science.
The proposed MiXO inherits the progress in ENR Wolter-I optics over the past two decades and utilizes new metal/ceramic hybrid technology using Plasma Thermal Spray (PTS) to achieve lightweight X-ray optics suitable for planetary applications. Its efficient light collecting capability exceeds the performance of alternative approaches such as micro-pore optics (MPO) used in Bepicolombo by a large factor (>~3). In addition, MiXO enables high angular resolution (0.5 - 1 arcmin) over a wide field of view (>1 deg), improving the detection sensitivity of surface features by an order of magnitude relative to MPO. MiXO also extends X-ray imaging to higher energies (up to ~10 keV) for detection and mapping of heavy elements. The modular design of MiXO can be easily scaled from low-cost SmallSats to small Discovery, medium class New Frontiers and large Flagship missions.
In the previous PICASSO program, we successfully advanced the MiXO from TRL 2 to 3 through a series of achievements: 1) fabrication of two MiXO mandrels suitable for building compact X-ray optics, 2) fabrication, assembly and X-ray calibration of a MiXO module with two compact NiCo shells, 3) fabrication of two metal-ceramic hybrid MiXO shell from the larger MiXO mandrel, 4) development of the ray-tracing modeling software, SAORT, for design of X-ray optics suitable for planetary X-ray telescopes, 5) initial launch load simulation and analysis of the MiXO modules suitable for an ESPA-standard class payload.
We request support to advance the TRL of MiXO further, from 3 to 4, over the next three years. We will fabricate and assemble MiXO modules consisting of both NiCo and hybrid shells and will compare their performance. These two-shell MiXO modules will serve as Engineering Modules for the design of future compact planetary focusing X-ray telescopes. We will also continue to optimize ray-tracing and launch load modeling for design of compact X-ray telescopes suitable for planetary science.
Developing Instrument technology to improve measurements for future planetary science missions
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