A fully autonomous data center for the space-borne hard X-ray Compton polarimeter POLAR developed at PSI

TL;DR

This paper describes the design and implementation of a fully autonomous data center at PSI for processing, storing, and analyzing the large volume of data generated by the space-borne POLAR X-ray polarimeter, enabling efficient space data management.

Contribution

It introduces a novel fully automated data center specifically developed for the POLAR space mission, integrating hardware and software for real-time data processing and alerting.

Findings

Successful handling of up to 50 GB daily telemetry data

Implementation of automated data processing and alerting systems

Enhanced data management for space-borne X-ray polarimetry

Abstract

POLAR is a space-borne hard X-ray Compton polarimeter built by a collaboration of institutes from Switzerland, China and Poland. Precise detection of the polarization can be a powerful tool to unveil emission mechanisms of e.g. Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRB) or Solar Flares (SF). POLAR is equipped with an array of 1600 scintillator bars dimensioned for precise measurements of the polarization of hard X-rays in the energy range from 50 keV to 500 keV. The instrument was launched into space on September 15th, 2016 on-board the Chinese Space Laboratory TG-2 for up to 3 years long observation period. Telemetry data from its operation in space may reach up tp 50 GB daily. To store and process such a huge amount of data both dedicated hardware and specialized software are required. Moreover, constant data inflow also requires a fully automated and safeguarded data processing. For this purpose, a dedicated data centre was established at PSI. We present its design concept and structure as well as demonstrate main features with respect to data processing, quick look utilities and alerting functions.