In this paper we report on the development of Glowbug-2: a gamma-ray transient instrument for the International Space Station (ISS). Glowbug-2 is the next iteration of instrumentation for detecting and localizing gamma-ray transients, in particular Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs), being developed and built by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). This iteration of Glowbug follows the successful deployment and operation of the Glowbug-1 instrument on the ISS [1,2], located on the Japanese Experiment Module – Exposed Facility Unit (JEM-EFU) from March 2023 to April 2024. Glowbug-2 consists of four large area, panel scintillation detectors with edge read out via an array of silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), on the Department of Defense Space Test Program (DoD STP) H-11 pallet. The launch to the Columbus External Payload Facility SOZ on the ISS is expected in late 2025. The scintillation crystal detector units (CDUs) are the same design as the units to be flown on the upcoming NASA StarBurst Multimessenger Pioneers mission. Glowbug-2 will serve as a science enhancement and risk reduction instrument for the StarBurst mission. Each scintillation panel views the sky at a 45° angle (with respect to the pallet), with each detector facing orthogonal viewing directions, for all sky coverage not occulted by the earth. This work presents the science Glowbug-2 will address, the instrument concept and design, and simulated and laboratory instrument performance metrics.
In this paper we describe the characterization of the Glowbug instrument. Glowbug is a gamma-ray telescope for gamma ray bursts (GRBs) and other transients in the 50 keV to 2 MeV band funded by the NASA Astrophysics Research and Analysis (APRA) program. Built by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, the instrument will be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) by the Department of Defense (DOD) Space Test Program (STP) in early 2023. Glowbug’s primary science objective is the detection and localization of short GRBs, which are the result of mergers of stellar binaries involving a neutron star with either another neutron star or a black hole. While the instrument is designed to complement existing GRB detection systems, it serves as a technology demonstrator for future networks of sensitive, low-cost gamma-ray transient detectors that provide all-sky coverage and improved localization of such events. Of greatest interest are the binary neutron star systems within the detection horizon of ground-based gravitational-wave interferometers. In a full mission life, Glowbug will detect dozens of short GRBs and provide burst spectra, light curves, and positions for gamma-ray context in multi-wavelength and multi-messenger studies of these merger events. We will present the current state of Glowbug, which will include the hardware development, calibration, environmental testing, simulations, and expected on-orbit sensitivity.
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