The VZLUSAT-2 mission is a 3U Cubesat proof-of-concept mission for multiple instruments and supporting subsystems including two small gamma-ray burst detectors which are follow-ons from GRBAlpha. It was launched on January 13, 2022 on a Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket from Cape Canaveral into a sun-synchronous low earth orbit at an altitude of 550 km. The primary instrument is an Earth observation camera, but secondary instruments include the Gamma Ray Burst Detectors, solar X-ray monitor, and radiation dosimeter, and much of the instrumentation other than the burst detectors are follow-on testbeds from the earlier VZLUSAT-1. VZLUSAT-2 is Czech-led mission with partnerships including the Czech Technical University, the University of West Bohemia, Masaryk University, and the Konkoly Observatory in Hungary, and funded through the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade. The spacecraft bus and solar panels were provided by Spacemaniac.
VZLUSAT-2 carries two small gamma-ray burst detectors similar to GRBAlpha, but with modifications to the mounting as required to conform to 3U cube configuration and providing opposing side fields-of-view. The bulk of the 3U satellite package is devoted to other instruments and sub-systems, with a total satellite mass of roughly 3.9 kg.
Mission Characteristics
Lifetime
22 Jan 2022–present (one year nominal mission)
Special Features
3U Cubesat configuration for ridesharing launch
Dual set of detectors to prove CAMELOT mission concept
Follow-on for successful GRBAlpha with more complete sky coverage
Lifetime
22 Jan 2022–present (one year nominal mission)
Special Features
3U Cubesat configuration for ridesharing launch
Dual set of detectors to prove CAMELOT mission concept
Follow-on for successful GRBAlpha with more complete sky coverage
Payload
Instrument
Characteristic
Details
Gamma-ray Detector
Energy Range
30–900 keV
Two CsI(Tl) crystals measuring 75×75×5 mm each. The scintillation is observed by low voltage lightweight silicon photomultipliers. The detector is covered with a dark polyvinyl fluoride (tedlar) film in 1 mm aluminum sheet box mounted along the exterior surface of the satellite with a design modification needed to conform to 3U configuration.
Gamma-ray Detector
Energy Range
30–900 keV
Two CsI(Tl) crystals measuring 75×75×5 mm each. The scintillation is observed by low voltage lightweight silicon photomultipliers. The detector is covered with a dark polyvinyl fluoride (tedlar) film in 1 mm aluminum sheet box mounted along the exterior surface of the satellite with a design modification needed to conform to 3U configuration.
Science Goals
Characterization of peak intensity and time of bright burst events.
Prove operational concepts of future CAMELOT satellite constellation, especially supporting sub-systems.
Co-observe with gravitational wave detectors and other observatories as part of multimessenger astronomy.
