Other
Scientific paper
May 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007aas...20925501m&link_type=abstract
2007 AAS/AAPT Joint Meeting, American Astronomical Society Meeting 209, #255.01; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society,
Other
Scientific paper
We are developing a new mission concept for the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) that would significantly reduce operating costs but would continue the availability of this unique resource into GFY09 and beyond. Launched in 1999, the FUSE satellite obtains R=20,000 spectra of astronomical sources in the far-ultraviolet (912 - 1187 A) wavelength range. The FUSE scientific instrument remains healthy and the satellite has made a remarkable recovery from attitude control problems in late 2004. We expect FUSE to remain a viable scientific tool for the foreseeable future. Current plans for FUSE operations extend through GFY2008 (Sept. 30, 2008). Key elements of this new mission concept include a) continued automation and streamlining of operations to reduce costs, and b) an emphasis on a small number of unique, high priority science programs, particularly those requiring integration times on key targets that are significantly longer than has been possible in the mission design to date. A prime example of the latter would be 100 - 400 ks integrations on selected quasars to provide much improved diagnostic power to study the intergalactic medium. Synergy with the scientific objectives of the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) program on HST, and the complementary nature of FUSE and COS data on the same sightlines, is but one major motivation for this operations model. In addition to programs emphasizing very long integrations, opportunities for other high priority targets would exist. We will describe some of the ongoing development toward such an operations model as well as the scientific drivers discussed to date. Community input on these and other science drivers for extended FUSE operations is encouraged.
FUSE is operated for NASA by Johns Hopkins University under NASA contract NAS5-32985.
Blair William Patrick
FUSE Science Operations Team
Kruk Jeff W.
Moos Warren H.
Sonneborn George
No associations
LandOfFree
A Mission Concept for FUSE Operations in GFY09 and Beyond does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with A Mission Concept for FUSE Operations in GFY09 and Beyond, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A Mission Concept for FUSE Operations in GFY09 and Beyond will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1027863