Speaker
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.
