11–13 Jun 2025
ESA/ESTEC
Europe/Amsterdam timezone

ASTRA-LEO: Multi-Particle Detection for CENSSAT-1

11 Jun 2025, 12:20
20m
ESCAPE Tennis hall (ESA/ESTEC)

ESCAPE Tennis hall

ESA/ESTEC

Keplerlaan 1, 2201 AZ Noordwijk, Netherlands
Oral presentation Radiation instruments 1

Speaker

Dr Ramsey Al Jebali (Centre for Space Systems and Sensors (CENSSS), Institute of Technology Systems (ITS), University of Oslo)

Description

ASTRA-LEO (Advanced Spaceborne Telescope for Radiation Analysis in Low Earth Orbit) is a multi-particle radiation detector currently being developed by the Centre for Space Sensors and Systems (CENSSS) at the University of Oslo and integrated into the CENSSAT-1 CubeSat, scheduled for launch in 2027. The instrument is designed to detect Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs), observe Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), and support proof-of-concept measurements related to the neutron lifetime problem.

The detector consists of two identical units, each built from a matrix of LaBr₃ and CLLBC scintillators in a checkerboard layout, surrounded by EJ-248M plastic scintillators. This configuration provides sensitivity to gamma rays, thermal neutrons, and charged particles. ASTRA-LEO operates in both counting and spectroscopic modes, allowing it to handle a wide range of flux levels in Low Earth Orbit.

Geant4 simulations are being used to optimise shielding and placement, helping to reduce background signals from the CubeSat structure. Real-time SEP alerts will support space weather monitoring, while neutron and gamma-ray data will contribute to ongoing efforts to understand neutron decay and GRB phenomenology.

This talk will cover the instrument design, performance simulations, and its scientific goals, with a focus on demonstrating the viability of compact, CubeSat-based platforms for advanced space radiation studies.

Primary author

Dr Ramsey Al Jebali (Centre for Space Systems and Sensors (CENSSS), Institute of Technology Systems (ITS), University of Oslo)

Co-authors

Mr Anastasios-Faidon Retselis (Centre for Space Systems and Sensors (CENSSS), Institute of Technology Systems (ITS), University of Oslo) Dr Anja Kohfeldt (IDEAS) Mr Codin Gheorghe (Integrated Detector Electronics AS (IDEAS)) Dr Elise Wright Knutsen (Centre for Space Systems and Sensors (CENSSS), Institute of Technology Systems (ITS), University of Oslo) Dr Luis Filipe Alves Teodoro (Institute of Technology Systems (ITS), University of Oslo) Ms Rebecka Wahlén (Centre for Space Systems and Sensors (CENSSS), Institute of Technology Systems (ITS), University of Oslo) Mr Sam Holdcroft (Centre for Space Systems and Sensors (CENSSS), Institute of Technology Systems (ITS), University of Oslo) Prof. Svein-Erik Hamran (Centre for Space Systems and Sensors (CENSSS), Institute of Technology Systems (ITS), University of Oslo)

Presentation materials