Sabanci University will host the only laboratory that designs and manufactures instruments for astrophysics in the “Enhanced X-Ray Timing and Polarimetry Satellite Wide Area Monitoring Application Software” project with TUA and TUBITAK Space.
According to the statement made by Sabanci University, ‘Enhanced X-Ray Timing and Polarimetry Satellite Wide Area Monitoring Application Software’ project, which is one of the four important projects that will contribute to the realization of the National Space Program of Turkey and to reach the announced targets will come to life with the protocol signed by Turkish Space Agency, TUBITAK Space and Sabanci University.
With this protocol signed, Sabanci University will host the High Energy Astrophysics Sensor Laboratory, which is the only laboratory that designs and manufactures instruments for astrophysics in Turkey, with its expert staff in the field of high energy astrophysics where satellite data will be served.
Sabanci University, which has technical and scientific knowledge of the Wide Field Monitor (WFM) sensor, and TUBITAK Space Institute, which has significant experience in satellite software and project management, are carrying out the project together.
Scientifically, the project will introduce the capabilities of the ‘Enhanced X-Ray Timing and Polarimetry-eXTP’ satellite to all scientists working in the field of high energy astronomy in Turkey and pave the way for them to use them in their own research areas. This preliminary preparation will bring Turkish scientists to the most appropriate position in terms of scientific data input and broadcast output when the satellite becomes operational.
Sabanci University executive director of the project, Prof. Dr. Emrah Kalemci, is developing small versions of semiconductor sensors on eXTP at HEALAB, which he founded. Kalemci, who is also responsible for the coordination of the Turkish team with other country teams affiliated to ESA, is an expert in coded mask systems like WFM and x-ray data analysis. Sabanci University faculty members Assoc. Dr. Ayhan Bozkurt and Assoc. Dr. Ahmet Onat will support the project as system engineers responsible for secure software. Prof Dr. Ersin Gogus, a member of the eXTP Science Team, will undertake the Turkey science side of the project and will organize workshops and similar events in coordination with the Turkish Space Agency to transfer the satellite’s scientific capacity to Turkish scientists.
The statement included the following information regarding the eXTP Project:
“eXTP Project, is an x-ray satellite project that can detect celestial objects (black holes, neutron stars, gamma-ray bursts) that make the most interesting and intense flashes in the universe, and that can investigate the physics of these objects both spectrally, temporally, and polarimetrically with giant observation instruments. In the International Project, the satellite platform will be made by China, two of the four payloads will be carried out by China, and two by European countries (ESA). Phase B of the project, phase A of which was completed, has also started. The long-term aim of the studies to be carried out in Turkey is to write the application code of the Wide Field Monitor (WFM) sensor system, one of the four main observation tools on the eXTP satellite, whose design and production process continues so that Turkish scientists and engineers exist on the eXTP satellite both scientifically and technically.”
Source: AA / Translated by Irem Yildiz