ABEX Spacecraft

Scientific and educational mission to investigate Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRB).

Scientific and educational mission to investigate Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRB) through spectral analysis and localization of joint gravitational-wave GRB mergers using wavefront timing analysis.

The project is in development by a multi-university collaboration across Alabama with design work conducted by students under faculty advisement. The effort is organized and funded by the Alabama Space Grant Consortium and includes the University of Alabama, University of Alabama in Birmingham, University of South Alabama, Auburn University, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

ABEX will deploy on a super-synchronous orbit and propulsively maneuver to a high eccentricity orbit of 300 km perigee by 60,000 km apogee at 27° inclination. From this high apogee destination, ABEX will observe GRB events using a suite of detectors that measure a broad energy range from keV to MeV. The highly eccentric orbit allows ABEX to perform wavefront timing between LEO gamma-ray missions as it passes through apogee.

ABEX has several engineering systems being developed by cohort universities as part of its educational mission, specifically the On-Board Computers, Electrical Power System, Flight Software, chassis, and instrumentation.

The effort is organized and funded by the Alabama Space Grant Consortium and includes the University of Alabama, University of Alabama in Birmingham, University of South Alabama, Auburn University, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. 

• THRUSTER - Enpulsion IFM Nano Thruster