Introduction
Spectrum-X Gamma is the name of a multi-national space platform for high energy astronomy. The platform will host a number of instruments being produced by the various research groups, commercial companies and space agencies involved.
An artist's impression is shown to the right.
Sadly, this instrument will probably never make it into orbit. The funding situation for science after the 'westernisation' of the Russian economy has meant there is little money for the space programme. The launch vehicle, mission control and the satellite bus itself were to have been funded by the Russians.
Various attempts to co-opt JET-X onto other missions, either in part or in full are being explored, but to date none have been selected.
For the moment, JET-X remains in nitrogen purged protective
bagging in a cleanroom facility at Leicester University.
The JET-X Instrument
Birmingham University was involved in the project as part of a consortium producing one of the instruments. The Joint European Telescope for X-ray Astronomy, or JET-X for short, is a grazing incidence X-ray telescope. The cooled CCD detectors provide high angular resolution imaging (20") and fine spectroscopy (2% at 7keV).
The JET-X Command and Data Management System (CDMS) is a core component of the JET-X instrument, and is based around a four-processor design. This unit was designed, developed and produced at the Space Research Group at Birmingham University.
Team
The JET-X UK team comprises the following institutions:
- University of Birmingham
- University of Leicester
- Mullard Space Science Laboratory
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Maintained by Mark CookeLast Updated: 08-Jan-2004