Gravity and Extreme Magnetism SMEX

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Artist's impression of GEMS (thermal shielding of the optical boom omitted)

Gravity and Extreme Magnetism SMEX (GEMS) was a space telescope planned by NASA for the X-ray sector. Because cost overruns were expected, the construction was not approved. It was supposed tomeasurethe polarization of X-rays from cosmic sources.

GEMS was studied as one of six proposals for Small Explorer (SMEX) satellites from NASA since May 2008 and was brought into the definition phase in June 2009 as one of two remaining projects. The launch of a Pegasus rocket into low earth orbit should not be before the summer of 2014. The planned duration of the mission would have been nine months with the possibility of extension to two years. As a SMEX mission, the costs should not exceed USD 105 million (2008 prices, excluding start-up costs).

So far, polarization of cosmic X-rays has only been measured by one source, the Crab Nebula . With more than a hundredfold improved sensitivity to polarization, GEMS should reach many new sources. The aim was to study inflowing matter and the curvature of space-time in the vicinity of black holes . Further scientific goals would have been the behavior of matter in the extreme magnetic fields of some neutron stars ( magnetars ) and the acceleration of cosmic rays by supernova remnants .

  • Structure of GEMS (left: deployed in orbit; right: configuration during take-off)

  • Representation of GEMS in orbit (with thermal shielding)

  • GEMS from behind (without thermal shield)

source

  1. ↑ Stephen Clark: NASA abandons budget-busting X-ray telescope. Spaceflight Now, June 7, 2012, accessed June 13, 2012 .

Web links

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