Distributed Architectures and Constellations for Gamma-Ray Burst Science

TL;DR

This paper explores the design and potential of distributed, small-platform architectures and constellations for all-sky gamma-ray and multi-wavelength transient monitoring to enhance multi-messenger astrophysics.

Contribution

It proposes large-scale distributed architectures and constellations of small platforms for sensitive, rapid, all-sky high-energy transient detection and follow-up in multi-messenger astrophysics.

Findings

Distributed architectures can improve sky coverage and localization.

Constellations enable rapid follow-up of high-energy transients.

Programmatic strategies for hardware and data analysis are discussed.

Abstract

The gravitational wave/gamma-ray burst GW/GRB170817 event marked the beginning of the era of multi-messenger astrophysics, in which new observations of Gravitational Waves (GW) are combined with traditional electromagnetic observations from the very same astrophysical source. In the next few years, Advanced LIGO/VIRGO and KAGRA in Japan and LIGO-India will reach their nominal/ultimate sensitivity. In the electromagnetic domain, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) will come online in the next few years, and they will revolutionize the investigation of transient and variable cosmic sources in the optical and TeV bands. The operation of an efficient X-ray/gamma-ray all-sky monitor with good localisation capabilities will play a pivotal role in providing the high-energy counterparts of the GW interferometers and Rubin Observatory, bringing multi-messenger astrophysics to maturity. To reach the required precision in localisation and timeliness for an unpredictable physical event in time and space requires a sensor distribution covering the whole sky. We discuss the potential of large-scale, small-platform-distributed architectures and constellations to build a sensitive X-ray/gamma-ray all-sky monitor and the programmatic implications of this, including the set-up of an efficient assembly line for both hardware development and data analysis. We also discuss the potential of a constellation of small platforms operating at other wavelengths (UV/IR) that are capable of repointing quickly to follow-up high-energy transients.