The high-energy x-ray probe (HEX-P)

Abstract

HEX-P is a probe-class mission concept that will combine high angular resolution (⪅ 5 ′′ at 6 keV) x-ray imaging and broad energy sensitivity (0.2 − 80 keV) to enable revolutionary new insights into black holes, neutron stars, and other extreme environments powering the high energy universe. HEX-P prioritizes broad band imagery and high resolution simultaneously, providing a wealth of information not possible with any other planned or operating observatory. HEX-P achieves its breakthrough performance by combining technologies developed by experienced partners: high resolution low energy imagery with silicon segmented mirrors provided by the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC, Greenbelt, MD); state of the art high energy imagery from nickel shell mirror technology developed by Media Lario (Bosisio Parini, Italy) and the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF, Merate, Italy) through a contribution from the Italian Space Agency (ASI, Rome, Italy); high speed, high resolution Depleted P-Channel Field Effect Transistor (DEPFET) detectors through a contribution from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE, Garching, Germany); photon counting high energy detectors from the NuSTAR team at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech, Pasadena CA); and a spacecraft and payload structure with a 20 m deployable boom developed by Northrop Grumman (Falls Church, VA).