The Leung Center for Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics (LeCosPA) has joined the Ultra-Fast Flash Observatory (UFFO) project, a new satellite telescope that will observe the instantaneous signals of gamma-ray bursts. The UFFO team was formed by the Korean Ewha Women’s University, University of California at Berkeley, Moscow State University and NTU. LeCosPA is not only assembling the telescope’s X-ray trigger system, but is also simulating the effects of radiation backgrounds. All project components will be completed by May, in time for final verification testing that commences in June at Taiwan’s National Space Organization (NSPO).

For the last two decades, scientific research has seen dramatic breakthroughs in astrophysics and cosmology that have revolutionized our worldview. These discoveries have given rise to further questions for science in the new century, and the search for answers often requires exploring the deepest regions of the universe for signals emanating from the most energetic particles. Gamma-ray bursts are caused by the collapse of massive stars or by the merging of two stars (manifested as neutron stars or black holes). Gamma-ray bursts are the second-most powerful explosions in the universe, emitting most of their energy in the first few seconds from energetic particles. To circumvent confounding effects from Earth’s environment and to monitor instantaneous signals from gamma-ray bursts, a satellite telescope, such as that of the UFFO project, is indispensable.

The UFFO telescope is based on microelectronic mechanical systems (MEMS) technology, which can react to transient signals, such as gamma-ray bursts, within one millisecond. The telescope can trace instantaneous gamma-ray burst signals much more effectively than any other existing gamma-ray burst satellite telescope. The UFFO project, therefore, has created a unique scientific opportunity that is at the very forefront of astrophysics.

On the technical side, the Korean collaborators have amassed extensive experience in the development the MEMS-based space telescopes. Their first MEMS-based micro-satellite telescope, MTEL (MEMS Telescope for Extreme Lightning), was delivered to Russia and launched with the Tatyana-2 micro-satellite in February 2009.

Taiwan’s UFFO team, by contrast, has a solid background in particle and high-energy astrophysics, cosmology, gamma ray detection, radiation simulations and data analysis. NTU will complete the assembly and calibration of the UFFO X-ray trigger system by May. Besides building the trigger system, LeCosPA has also teamed up with NSPO here in Taiwan to conduct space environment verification testing, control for vibration during launch and monitor the thermal-vacuum variation in the space environment.

The UFFO telescope is scheduled to be launched at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in November. The research and development conducted for the UFFO’s MEMS micromirror array is expected to prompt technical and commercial applications in Taiwan. The UFFO project represents a unique opportunity for astrophysics and cosmology. LeCosPA and NTU are excited to be participating in such a significant project.