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SPARCS

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

SPARCS (Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat) is an American ultraviolet space nano-telescope in the CubeSat 6U format (30x20x10 cm at launch, 12 kg) whose objective is to study the near and far ultraviolet radiation of galactic red dwarfs.[1] The mission selected by NASA is developed and managed by Arizona State University with the participation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) which provides the telescope and its detectors.[2][3]

The objective of the SPARCS mission is to study the ultraviolet emissions of around ten red dwarfs in order to model its impact.[4] SPARCS is with ASTERIA one of the first space astronomy missions using the extremely miniaturized CubeSat format. This new category of satellite opens up prospects in the field of long-term observations of astronomical phenomena thanks to their reduced cost.[5]

SPARCS plans to be ready to launch by Q1 2025.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "SPARCS". sparcs.asu.edu. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  2. ^ "ASU astronomers to build space telescope to explore nearby stars". EurekAlert!. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  3. ^ Ardila, David R. (13 March 2023). "SPARCS: The Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat" (PDF). JPL. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  4. ^ University, Arizona State. "Astronomers to build space telescope to explore nearby stars". phys.org. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  5. ^ "Onboard Dynamic Image Exposure Control for the Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat (SPARCS)". www.spaceref.com. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  6. ^ "Home page | SPARCS". sparcs.asu.edu. Retrieved 2023-12-12.