V. G. Tyshkevich

RT-2 DETECTION OF QUASI-PERIODIC PULSATIONS IN THE 2009 JULY 5 SOLAR HARD X-RAY FLARE

We present the results of an analysis of hard X-ray observations of the C2.7 solar flare detected by the RT-2 experiment on board the Coronas-Photon satellite. We detect hard X-ray pulsations at periods of {approx}12 s and {approx}15 s. We find a marginal evidence for a decrease in period with time. We have augmented these results using the publicly available data from the RHESSI satellite. We present a spectral analysis and measure the spectral parameters.

The NATALYA-2M spectrometer of high-energy radiations for the CORONAS-PHOTON space project

The NATALYA-2M high-energy radiation spectrometer is an element of the complex of scientific equipment of the CORONAS-PHOTON satellite. The instrument intended for registering gamma radiation of solar flares in the broad energy range of 0.2–1600 MeV as well as neutrons of solar origin with energies of 20–300 MeV represents itself as a scintillation spectrometer based on CsI(Tl) crystals with a total area of 32 × 38 cm2 and the thickness of 18 cm. The spectra and time profiles of the gamma quanta count rates are measured in four subranges: R (0.2–2 MeV), L (1–18 MeV), M (7–250 MeV), and H (50–1600 MeV). Depending on the gamma radiation energy, the effective area of the instrument varies within the range from 750 to 900 cm2, and the energy resolution at the Cs-137 line (662 keV) is 10%, it being about 30% at energies higher than 50 MeV. A system of stabilization based on the signal from the generator of reference light pulses is used to provide stability and automated adjustment of the parameters of spectrometric modules. The measuring channels of the instrument are calibrated during the flight using a source of “tagged” gamma quanta on the Co-60 radioactive isotope. Polystyrene scintillation counters are used to provide protection from the background of charged particles. The “CORONAS-PHOTON” spacecraft (SC) was launched from the Plesetsk spaceport on January 30, 2009, to a low circular near-Earth orbit (the altitude is 550 km, the inclination is 82.5°). On February 27, the first scientific data were obtained from the NATALYA-2M instrument. The results of the flight calibration of the instrument detectors in different energy channels demonstrated good agreement with the ground measurements. The paper describes the instrument and observational potentials of the NATALYA-2M spectrometer, gives the results of the adjustment and calibration, and exemplifies the registration of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs)on the orbit.

Onboard performance of the RT-2 detectors

The RT-2 Experiment onboard the CORONAS-PHOTON satellite is designed to study the spectral, temporal, and spatial details of solar hard X-ray flares in the 15–150 keV range. Above this energy (and upto 1000 keV), it also acts as an omni-directional gamma-ray detector with a capability to study gamma-ray bursts (GRB), bright solar flares, and X-ray pulsars. With an ensemble of hard X-ray detectors with different fields of view and coding devices, it also has the capability to investigate the spectrum of Cosmic Diffuse X-ray Background. The performance of the detectors from 2009 February to November is described in this paper. Results obtained on a few GRBs and solar flares are also briefly discussed.

Structure for control and data transfer from scientific instruments of the CORONAS-PHOTON mission

A description is given of the control structure of scientific instruments and data transfer management system involved in the CORONAS-PHOTON satellite mission. The technical capabilities of all specialized instruments to provide the function of the scientific instruments and spacecract (SC) support systems are unified in a single structure. The correctness of the proposed and implemented structure has been verified by the operation of the CORONAS-PHOTON’s complex of scientific instruments. Control of the scientific instruments was maintained using one-time and program pulse commands (OTC and PPC), as well as command data files (CDF), which are transmitted via onboard control units. Up to 30 OTC and 52 kbit of CDF can be transmitted per one control session. The date is transmitted to data-acquisition ground stations (DAGS) at Scientific center for Earth orbital monitoring. Up to 1.3 Gbyte of data can be transmitted per day. Data encryption and reception by two DAGS simultaneously was used to reduce the quantity of transmission failures. The CORONAS-PHOTON SC has been performing scientific experiments from February to December 2009. Over this period, 297 control sessions and 1050 data acquisition sessions were performed; about 5 Mbit of uplink control data were transmitted on board SC, and 250 Gbyte of scientific data were received by DAGS.