A Generation-X ultra high throughput X-ray astronomy observatory with a new mission architecture

The launch of the Chandra X-ray Observatory in June 1999 together with the X-ray Multi-Mirror Observatory by ESA initiated a new era in X-ray astronomy. This new generation of 1 m class facilities provides astronomers with much better imaging capability, larger collecting power and for the first time, true high resolution spectroscopy. However, most X-ray measurements will still be limited by a small number of photons. To probe more deeply into the early Universe, at the large distances where dust obscures visible light, we require future generation (“Generation-X”) 30-m class telescopes with several orders of magnitude larger collecting area than the above missions or even NASA´s next generation Constellation X-ray Mission. However, this cannot be achieved within the architecture of current missions. We describe a new approach based upon formation flying between a large single focus X-ray telescope aboard its own spacecraft and a cluster of smaller spacecraft with detectors and spectrometers, at a quasi-stable point such as the Sun-Earth L2. The telescope mass and volume are too large to be put in space with a single launch. Furthermore we desire that the success of the mission not be dependent upon a single launch. Consequently, the telescope will have to be assembled in situ where humans are not likely to venture. Mirror segments would be delivered over a period of several years and assembled with robotic means. This work was supported was by the NASA Institute of Advanced Concepts