par John Hutchings, Patrick Côté (NRC Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Centre)
(Cassiopeia – hiver 2023)
The Coalition for Canadian Astronomy has been active in approaching the government departments and individual MPs, noting the domestic and international interest in the mission, and its readiness to proceed to flight contracts. This effort has been supported by many letters of support from Canadian industry, universities and institutions, as well as prospective international partners, JPL and UKSA.
An extended article on CASTOR, written by Elizabeth Howell, was recently published in Space.com.
In consultation with JPL and T-e2v, plans are well developed to begin extensive vacuum-UV testing of the custom-doped detectors that will evolve into the CASTOR flight devices. This process will begin in January. The test results will help define the flight specifications and will enable development of operating procedures, including bright and faint source photometry, optimal image sampling, and data handling.
While we await full project approval, progress continues on several fronts and opportunities for associated funding. These include work with international partners on the development of the UV-MOS, enhancements to the vacuum facility in Calgary, and further work on the operational and science preparation tools. Papers are being published on some the existing such tools, and co-op student projects are making good progress in developing detailed operational scenarios for the planned science surveys.
The CSA Space Technology Development Program’s large industrial contract will wrap up in March 2024. Final reports will address the telescope and optical design, the fast-steering mechanism and design, the precision photometer, and constraints on the UV-MOS. Along with the recently completed Phase 0 study, CASTOR is ready to move ahead to flight contracts and international partnerships.
The CASTOR website was recently updated and is available at the URL below. Informational documents are also available on request. Various scientific and technical aspects of the mission will be presented at several upcoming meetings such as the AAS meeting in New Orleans, the SPIE meeting in Yokohama, and the COSPAR meeting in Busan.
For more information on the mission, see here.