Cascade shower detectors to detect three dimensional development of the electromagnetic cascade shower induced by a high energy gamma ray. For space based applications the requirements of low power, low noise, radiation hardness and mixed analog and digital functions are the technology drivers. Larger collecting area gives improved sensitivity to weak sources. High angular resolution also improves sensitivity through reduction of background. The greatest challenge is that reflectivity of all surfaces decreases substantially with increasing photon energy.
Development is needed in lightweight sunshades and advanced high efficiency radiators.
Cryocoolers instruments used in astrophysics over a broad spectral range must be cooled to cryogenic temperatures for maximum sensitivity. Stored cryogens, used in space missions have several drawbacks including limited lifetime, high cost, difficult integration and test and launch operations, and lack of flexibility due to difficulty in achieving low temperatures at many widely separated points. Development is needed in lightweight sunshades and advanced high efficiency radiators. Instruments used in astrophysics over a broad spectral range must be cooled to cryogenic temperatures for maximum sensitivity. Stored cryogens, used in space missions have several drawbacks including limited lifetime, high cost, difficult integration and test and launch operations, and lack of flexibility due to difficulty in achieving low temperatures at many widely separated points.