High data rate laser communications for the Black Hole Explorer

Wang, Jade; Bilyeu, Bryan; Boroson, Don; Caplan, David; Riesing, Kathleen; Robinson, Bryan; Schieler, Curt; Johnson, Michael; Blackburn, Lindy; Haworth, Kari; Houston, Janice; Issaoun, Sara; Palumbo, Daniel; Richards, Elliot; Srinivasan, Ranjani; Weintraub, Jonathan; Marrone, Daniel P.

doi:10.1117/12.3019274

Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2024: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave 2024

DOI: 10.1117/12.3019274

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High data rate laser communications for the Black Hole Explorer

Jade Wang,

Bryan Bilyeu,

Don Boroson

et al.

Abstract: The Black Hole Explorer (BHEX) is a mission concept that can dramatically improve state-of-the-art astronomical very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) imaging resolution by extending baseline distances to space. To support these scientific goals, a high data rate downlink is required from space to ground. Laser communications is a promising option for realizing these high data rate, long-distance space-to-ground downlinks with smaller space/ground apertures. Here, we present a scalable laser communications d… Show more

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Cited by 6 publications

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The Black Hole Explorer cryocooling instrument

Rana,

Akiyama,

Canavan

et al. 2024

Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2024: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave

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The Black Hole Explorer is a space-based very-long baseline interferometry (VLBI) mission that will seek to perform precision black hole measurements, detect the photon ring around a black hole, explore the spacetime, spin, and mass properties of black holes, and attempt to experimentally validate predictions of General Relativity. These ambitious goals are achieved through the use of cryogenic receivers offering quantum-limited sensitivities across a wide frequency coverage. The dual-band receivers at 80-106 GHz and 240-320 GHz require 20 K and 4.5 K operating temperatures, respectively. To reach this, the planned cryocooling system will include two cold stages; a 20 K stage which must lift a heat load of approximately 125 mW and a 4.5 K stage lifting 10 mW of heat load. A survey of 4 K cryocooler development for spaceflight is explored in order to baseline the cryocooling system design for BHEX and leverage existing technology in the space industry at high TRLs. Notable space missions of relevance include Planck, JEM/SMILES, Hitomi, XRISM, and the advancement of US cryocoolers in this temperature range thanks to the ACTDP/JWST. Integration of the cryocooler with the receivers and broader instrument requires careful consideration, as it influences the instrument operation and thermal challenges. The latter includes thermally linking the cold ends of each cooling stage whilst minimising heat losses and ensuring adequate passive cooling for the cryocooler warm end heat rejection. Moreover, the challenges and trade-offs in sizing the mass and reducing the power consumption are explored: varying modes of operation in conjunction with other key instrument subsystems, the receiver cold temperature requirements, which in turn influence the scientific objectives of the mission, and mitigating the mission critical risks of the system. Overall, this paper presents an overview of cooling needs, initial design considerations, a survey of 4 K spaceflight cryocooler developments and current progress, and balancing scientific requirements of the instrument with the limitations of technical cryocooling capabilities, within the framework of a small-class (SMEX) space mission aiming to achieve breakthrough goals in experimental black hole physics.

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The Black Hole Explorer cryocooling instrument

Rana,

Akiyama,

Canavan

et al. 2024

Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2024: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave

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show abstract

The Black Hole Explorer: instrument system overview

Marrone,

Houston,

Akiyama

et al. 2024

Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2024: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave

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The Black Hole Explorer (BHEX) is a space very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) mission concept that is currently under development. BHEX will study supermassive black holes at unprecedented resolution, isolating the signature of the "photon ring" -light that has orbited the black hole before escaping -to probe physics at the edge of the observable universe. It will also measure black hole spins, study the energy extraction and acceleration mechanisms for black hole jets, and characterize the black hole mass distribution. BHEX achieves high angular resolution by joining with ground-based millimeter-wavelength VLBI arrays, extending the size, and therefore improving the angular resolution of the earthbound telescopes. Here we discuss the science instrument concept for BHEX. The science instrument for BHEX is a dual-band, coherent receiver system for 80-320 GHz, coupled to a 3.5-meter antenna. BHEX receiver front end will observe simultaneously with dual polarizations in two bands, one sampling 80-106 GHz and one sampling 240-320 GHz. An ultra-stable quartz oscillator provides the master frequency reference and ensures coherence for tens of seconds. To achieve the required sensitivity, the front end will instantaneously receive 32 GHz of frequency bandwidth, which will be digitized to 64 Gbits/sec of incompressible raw data. These data will be buffered and transmitted to the ground via laser data link, for correlation with data recorded simultaneously at radio telescopes on the ground. We describe the challenges associated with the instrument concept and the solutions that have been incorporated into the baseline design.

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The Black Hole Explorer: motivation and vision

Johnson,

Akiyama,

Baturin

et al. 2024

Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2024: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave

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We present the Black Hole Explorer (BHEX), a mission that will produce the sharpest images in the history of astronomy by extending submillimeter Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) to space. BHEX will discover and measure the bright and narrow "photon ring" that is predicted to exist in images of black holes, produced from light that has orbited the black hole before escaping. This discovery will expose universal features of a black hole's spacetime that are distinct from the complex astrophysics of the emitting plasma, allowing the first direct measurements of a supermassive black hole's spin. In addition to studying the properties of the nearby supermassive black holes M87 * and Sgr A * , BHEX will measure the properties of dozens of additional supermassive black holes, providing crucial insights into the processes that drive their creation and growth. BHEX will also connect these supermassive black holes to their relativistic jets, elucidating the power source for the brightest and most efficient engines in the universe. BHEX will address fundamental open questions in the physics and astrophysics of black holes that cannot be answered without submillimeter space VLBI. The mission is enabled by recent technological breakthroughs, including the development of ultra-high-speed downlink using laser communications, and it leverages billions of dollars of existing ground infrastructure. We present the motivation for BHEX, its science goals and associated requirements, and the pathway to launch within the next decade.

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High data rate laser communications for the Black Hole Explorer

Cited by 6 publications

References 18 publications

The Black Hole Explorer cryocooling instrument

The Black Hole Explorer cryocooling instrument

The Black Hole Explorer: instrument system overview

The Black Hole Explorer: motivation and vision

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