THESEUS

Last updated
Mission typeSpace observatory
Operator European Space Agency
Spacecraft properties
Power115 W [1]
Start of mission
Launch date2037 (proposed) [2]
Rocket Vega-E [1] (baseline)
Orbital parameters
Regime Low Earth orbit
Altitude600 km [1]
Inclination 5° (equatorial) [1]
Main
DiameterInfrared: 70 cm; Cassegrain type [1]
Wavelengths Infrared, Gamma-rays and X-rays
Cosmic Vision
M-class
  ARIEL
 

Transient High-Energy Sky and Early Universe Surveyor (THESEUS) is a space telescope mission proposal by the European Space Agency that would study gamma-ray bursts and X-rays for investigating the early universe. [1] [3] If developed, the mission would investigate star formation rates and metallicity evolution, as well as studying the sources and physics of reionization.

Contents

Overview

THESEUS is a mission concept that would monitor transient events in the high-energy Universe across the whole sky and over the entirety of cosmic history. In particular, it expects to make a complete census of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) from the Universe's first billion years, to help understand the life cycle of the first stars. [4] THESEUS would provide real-time triggers and accurate locations of the sources, which could also be followed up by other space- or ground-based telescopes operating at complementary wavelengths.

The concept was selected in May 2018 as a finalist to become the fifth Medium-class mission (M5) of the Cosmic Vision programme by the European Space Agency (ESA). The other finalist was EnVision, a Venus orbiter. The winner, EnVision, was selected in June 2021 for launch in 2031. [5]

In November 2023, following a new selection process (2022) and a Phase-0 study (2023), THESEUS was selected by ESA for a new 2.5 year Phase-A study as one of the three candidates M7 missions (together with M-Matisse and Plasma Observatory).

The space observatory would study GRBs and X-rays and their association with the explosive death of massive stars, supernova shock break-outs, black hole tidal disruption events, and magnetar flares. This can provide fundamental information on the cosmic star formation rate, the number density and properties of low-mass galaxies, the neutral hydrogen fraction, and the escape fraction of ultraviolet photons from galaxies. [1]

Scientific payload

The conceptual payload of THESEUS includes: [1]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 The THESEUS space mission concept: science case, design and expected performances. (PDF). Lorenzo Amati, et al. March 2018. doi : 10.1142/9789813226609_0421
  2. ESA names space mission concepts in running for Cosmic Vision mission slot. David Szondy, New Atlas. 7 May 2018.
  3. The Transient High Energy Sky and Early Universe Surveyor (THESEUS). Lorenzo Amati, Paul T. O'Brien, Diego Götz. Proceedings Volume 9905, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2016: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray; 18 July 2016. doi : 10.1117/12.2231525
  4. ESA selects three new mission concepts for study. European Space Agency. Published by PhysOrg. 8 May 2018.
  5. "ESA selects revolutionary Venus mission EnVision". ESA . 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.