The HERMES-Technologic and Scientific Pathfinder

TL;DR

HERMES-TP/SP is a constellation of nano-satellites equipped with innovative X-ray detectors designed to monitor cosmic high-energy transients like Gamma Ray Bursts and gravitational wave counterparts, demonstrating a modular, expandable space-based observatory.

Contribution

This paper introduces the HERMES-TP/SP constellation as an innovative, modular nano-satellite system for high-energy transient monitoring, expanding capabilities for all-sky observations.

Findings

Prototype testing scheduled from 2022

Modular design allows expansion to a global monitor

Optimized for rapid detection of cosmic transients

Abstract

HERMES-TP/SP (High Energy Rapid Modular Ensemble of Satellites Technologic and Scientific Pathfinder) is a constellation of six 3U nano-satellites hosting simple but innovative X-ray detectors, characterized by a large energy band and excellent temporal resolution, and thus optimized for the monitoring of Cosmic High Energy transients such as Gamma Ray Bursts and the electromagnetic counterparts of Gravitational Wave Events, and for the determination of their positions. The projects are funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research and by the Italian Space Agency, and by the European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program under Grant Agreement No. 821896. HERMES-TP/SP is an in-orbit demonstration, that should be tested starting from 2022. It is intrinsically a modular experiment that can be naturally expanded to provide a global, sensitive all sky monitor for high-energy transients.