The BRITE-Constellation Nanosatellite Space Mission And Its First Scientific Results
G. Handler, A. Pigulski, W. W. Weiss, A. F. J. Moffat, R. Kuschnig, G., A. Wade, P. Orleanski, S. M. Rucinski, O. Koudelka, R. Smolec, K. Zwintz, J., M. Matthews, A. Popowicz, D. Baade, C. Neiner, A. A. Pamyatnykh, J. Rowe, A., Schwarzenberg-Czerny
TL;DR
The BRITE-Constellation is a pioneering nanosatellite mission that performs precise optical photometry of bright stars, providing valuable data for astrophysical research and variability studies of hot stars.
Contribution
This paper introduces the first nanosatellite mission dedicated to astrophysics, detailing its design, initial challenges, data products, and first scientific results.
Findings
Successful deployment of five nanosatellites in low-Earth orbit
First scientific results demonstrating variability in hot stars
Accessible data products for the scientific community
Abstract
The BRIght Target Explorer (BRITE) Constellation is the first nanosatellite mission applied to astrophysical research. Five satellites in low-Earth orbits perform precise optical two-colour photometry of the brightest stars in the night sky. BRITE is naturally well suited for variability studies of hot stars. This contribution describes the basic outline of the mission and some initial problems that needed to be overcome. Some information on BRITE data products, how to access them, and how to join their scientific exploration is provided. Finally, a brief summary of the first scientific results obtained by BRITE is given.
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