SMEX03-0023-0018
The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR): Bringing the High Energy Universe into Focus
Fiona Harrison (PI), California Institute of Technology
NuSTAR will be the first highly sensitive, focusing telescope to image the hard X-ray (8 - 80 keV) sky. NuSTAR's unprecedented combination of sensitivity, and angular and spectral resolution allow it to carry out a number of high priority scientific investigations, including: 1) taking a census of black holes on all scales, achieved through deep, wide-field surveys of extragalactic fields and the Galactic center, 2) mapping recently-synthesized material in young supernova remnants to constrain nucleosynthesis and explosion models, and 3) studying the spectra and time-variability in the most extreme AGN. NuSTAR's three-year mission will take place at the end of this decade. NuSTAR can thus team with GLAST to observe extreme phenomena, provide timely follow-up for SIRTF and Chandra, and, through a series of wide-area surveys, be a pathfinder for Constellation-X. NuSTAR's instrumentation approach is based on mature, developed technology, and the spacecraft has a high-degree of heritage. The low-Earth, equatorial orbit and infrequent repointings allow for a simple operations plan. A sound management approach that teams the expertise of a NASA center with strong university partners, and a mature cost basis with adequate reserves ensures a low-risk, high-impact mission.
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Harrison , Fiona
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Principal
Investigator |
California
Institute of Technology |
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Christensen , Finn
|
Co-Investigator |
Danish Space
Research Insititute |
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Cominsky , Lynn
|
Co-Investigator |
Sonoma State
University |
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Cook , Walter
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Co-Investigator |
California
Institute of Technology |
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Craig , William
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Co-Investigator |
Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory |
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Hailey , Charles
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Co-Investigator |
Columbia
University |
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Madejski , Greg
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Co-Investigator |
Stanford
University |
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Meier , David
|
Co-Investigator |
Jet Propulsion
Laboratory |
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Seligman , Richard
|
Authorizing
Official |
California
Institute of Technology |
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Stern , Daniel
|
Co-Investigator |
NASA/JPL |
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Thorsett , Stephen
|
Co-Investigator |
UCO/Lick
Observatory, UCSC |
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Windt , David
|
Co-Investigator |
Columbia
University |
|
Woosley , Stan
|
Co-Investigator |
UCSC |