# FIREBall-2: advancing TRL while doing proof-of-concept astrophysics on a suborbital platform

## TL;DR

FIREBall-2 demonstrates advanced UV photon-counting detectors on a suborbital platform, showcasing their potential for astrophysics research and technology validation in a near-space environment.

## Contribution

The paper presents successful flight results of innovative UV detectors on FIREBall-2, advancing technology readiness levels and proving their applicability for future UV space missions.

## Key findings

- Detector technology performed well during flight
- Sub-orbital platforms are effective for testing new astrophysics instruments
- Results support future UV mission development

## Abstract

Here we discuss advances in UV technology over the last decade, with an emphasis on photon counting, low noise, high efficiency detectors in sub-orbital programs. We focus on the use of innovative UV detectors in a NASA astrophysics balloon telescope, FIREBall-2, which successfully flew in the Fall of 2018. The FIREBall-2 telescope is designed to make observations of distant galaxies to understand more about how they evolve by looking for diffuse hydrogen in the galactic halo. The payload utilizes a 1.0-meter class telescope with an ultraviolet multi-object spectrograph and is a joint collaboration between Caltech, JPL, LAM, CNES, Columbia, the University of Arizona, and NASA. The improved detector technology that was tested on FIREBall-2 can be applied to any UV mission. We discuss the results of the flight and detector performance. We will also discuss the utility of sub-orbital platforms (both balloon payloads and rockets) for testing new technologies and proof-of-concept scientific ideas