The DXL and STORM sounding rocket mission

Nicholas E. Thomas; Jenny A. Carter; Meng P. Chiao; Dennis J. Chornay; Yaireska M. Collado-Vega; Michael R. Collier; Thomas E. Cravens; Massimiliano Galeazzi; Dimitra Koutroumpa; Joseph Kujawski; K. D. Kuntz; Maria M. Kuznetsova; Susan T. Lepri; Dan McCammon; Kelsey Morgan; F. Scott Porter; Krishna Prasai; Andy M. Read; Ina P. Robertson; Steve F. Sembay; David G. Sibeck; Steven L. Snowden; Youaraj Uprety; Brian M. Walsh

doi:10.1117/12.2024438

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26 September 2013 The DXL and STORM sounding rocket mission

Nicholas E. Thomas, Jenny A. Carter, Meng P. Chiao, Dennis J. Chornay, Yaireska M. Collado-Vega, Michael R. Collier, Thomas E. Cravens, Massimiliano Galeazzi, Dimitra Koutroumpa, Joseph Kujawski, K. D. Kuntz, Maria M. Kuznetsova, Susan T. Lepri, Dan McCammon, Kelsey Morgan, F. Scott Porter, Krishna Prasai, Andy M. Read, Ina P. Robertson, Steve F. Sembay, David G. Sibeck, Steven L. Snowden, Youaraj Uprety, Brian M. Walsh

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Proceedings Volume 8859, UV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XVIII; 88590Z (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2024438
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2013, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The objective of the Diffuse X-ray emission from the Local Galaxy (DXL) sounding rocket experiment is to distinguish the soft X-ray emission due to the Local Hot Bubble (LHB) from that produced via Solar Wind charge exchange (SWCX). Enhanced interplanetary helium density in the helium focusing cone provides a spatial variation to the SWCX that can be identified by scanning through the focusing cone using an X-ray instrument with a large grasp. DXL consists of two large proportional counters refurbished from the Aerobee payload used during the Wisconsin All Sky Survey. The counters utilize P-10 fill gas and are covered by a thin Formvar window (with Cyasorb UV-24 additive) supported on a nickel mesh. DXL's large grasp is 10 cm² sr for both the 1/4 and 3/4 keV bands. DXL was successfully launched from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico on December 12, 2012 using a Terrier Mk70 Black Brant IX sounding rocket. The Sheath Transport Observer for the Redistribution of Mass (STORM) instrument is a prototype soft X-ray camera also successfully own on the DXL sounding rocket. STORM uses newly developed slumped micropore (`lobster eye') optics to focus X-rays onto a position sensitive, chevron configuration, microchannel plate detector. The slumped micropore optics have a 75 cm curvature radius and a polyimide/aluminum filter bonded to its surface. STORM's large field-of-view makes it ideal for imaging SWCX with exospheric hydrogen for future missions. STORM represents the first flight of lobster-eye optics in space.

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Nicholas E. Thomas, Jenny A. Carter, Meng P. Chiao, Dennis J. Chornay, Yaireska M. Collado-Vega, Michael R. Collier, Thomas E. Cravens, Massimiliano Galeazzi, Dimitra Koutroumpa, Joseph Kujawski, K. D. Kuntz, Maria M. Kuznetsova, Susan T. Lepri, Dan McCammon, Kelsey Morgan, F. Scott Porter, Krishna Prasai, Andy M. Read, Ina P. Robertson, Steve F. Sembay, David G. Sibeck, Steven L. Snowden, Youaraj Uprety, and Brian M. Walsh "The DXL and STORM sounding rocket mission", Proc. SPIE 8859, UV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XVIII, 88590Z (26 September 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2024438

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