USA experiment on the ARGOS satellite: a low-cost instrument for timing x-ray binaries
- 16 September 1994
- proceedings article
- Published by SPIE-Intl Soc Optical Eng
- Vol. 2280, 19-31
- https://doi.org/10.1117/12.186829
Abstract
The Unconventional Stellar Aspect (USA) experiment on the Advanced Research and Global Observations Satellite (ARGOS) of the Space Test Program is a low-cost, quick, yet scientifically ambitious X-ray timing experiment. The research program emphasizes observing neutron stars and black holes for extended periods with sub-millisecond timing resolution. The scientific program is achieved using hardware whose key features are large collecting area (2000 cm2), energy response extending as low as 1 keV, long accumulated observing times (1 month), high time resolution (1 microsecond(s) ), absolute time-tagging (also to 1 microsecond(s) ) achieved using a GPS receiver, sustained high data rates (40 kbps at all times supplemented by 128 kbps as needed), and flexibility in data handling by using a solid state recorder and a radiation- hardened 20 MIPS 32-bit onboard computer to provide onboard processing.Keywords
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