Tiny Satellite, Big Discovery: NASA’s BurstCube Detects First Gamma-Ray Burst
Greenbelt, MD – A shoebox-sizedsatellite named BurstCube, designed to study the most powerful explosions in the universe, has achieved a major milestone: detecting its first gamma-ray burst. This discovery, announced by NASA on September 5th, showcases the potential of these miniature spacecraft for groundbreaking astronomical research.
BurstCube, launched in March 2024 and deployed from the International Space Station in April, is specifically designed to detect and study short gamma-ray bursts. These bursts, lasting only a few seconds, are thought to be caused by the collision of incredibly dense objects like neutronstars. These collisions also produce heavy elements like gold and iodine, essential for life as we know it.
The first gamma-ray burst detected by BurstCube, designated GRB 240629A, occurredon June 29th in the constellation of Microscopium. The team announced the discovery on August 29th through the General Coordinate Network (GCN), a system used by astronomers to rapidly disseminate information about celestial events.
We are thrilled to be collecting science data, said Sean Semper,BurstCube’s chief engineer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. This is a major milestone for the team and for the many early-career engineers and scientists involved in this mission.
BurstCube’s success is particularly noteworthy due to its small size and innovative design. It is the first CubeSat toutilize NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system, a constellation of dedicated communication spacecraft. TDRS relays data, facilitating rapid follow-up observations by other space and ground-based observatories through NASA’s GCN.
The satellite also utilizes a direct-to-Earth system,regularly transmitting data back to Earth. Both TDRS and the direct-to-Earth system are part of NASA’s Near Space Network (NSN), a critical component of communication with missions in space.
Despite its initial success, BurstCube faces a challenge: one of its solar panels failed to fully deploy after itsrelease from the space station. This has obstructed the spacecraft’s star tracker, hindering its ability to orient itself for minimal drag. While the team initially expected BurstCube to operate for 12-18 months, the increased drag now suggests a re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere as early as September.
I’m proud of how the team has adapted to this situation and made the most of our time on orbit, said Jeremy Perkins, BurstCube’s chief scientist at Goddard. Small missions like BurstCube not only give us the opportunity to conduct great science and test new technologies, like our mission’s gamma-ray detector, but they also provide valuable learning opportunities for the next generation of astrophysicists.
BurstCube’s discovery highlights the potential of small, innovative spacecraft for exploring the cosmos. Despite its limited lifespan, the satellite has already made a significant contribution to our understanding of the universe’s most powerful events.The data collected by BurstCube will continue to be analyzed, providing valuable insights into the processes that create the elements essential for life and the extreme environments that exist beyond our planet.
Views: 0