Design and Testing of a 3U CubeSat to Test the In-situ Vetoing for the $\nu$SOL Solar Neutrino Detector

TL;DR

This paper presents the design and testing of a 3U CubeSat to demonstrate in-space vetoing and shielding for a solar neutrino detector, aiming to enable future space-based neutrino observations near the Sun.

Contribution

It introduces a novel CubeSat-based platform for testing neutrino detector shielding and veto systems in space, advancing the technological readiness for solar neutrino detection missions.

Findings

Veto system successfully reduces false signals in lab tests.

Energy calibration achieved with radioactive sources.

Promising shielding performance in simulations and laboratory tests.

Abstract

For years, earth-based neutrino detectors have been run and operated to detect the elusive neutrino. These have historically been enormous underground detectors. The neutrino Solar Orbiting Laboratory ($\nu$SOL) project is working to design a technical demonstration to show that a much smaller neutrino detector can be operated in near-solar environments for a future spaceflight mission. At a closest approach of 3 solar radii, there is a ten thousand-fold increase in the neutrino flux. This would allow a 100 kg payload to be the equivalent of a 1 kTon earth-based payload, larger than the first neutrino experiment in the Homestake mine. As a continuing step towards this goal, the $\nu$SOL project will fly a 3U CubeSat for testing the detector's passive shielding design, active vetoing system in a space environment, and the rate of false double-pulse signals in a space environment. I go into technical detail about the characterization of the central detector in simuo and in the lab. The first test is a characterization of energy resolution and calibration through the use of radioactive sources. We will continue testing by measuring the veto success rate with ground-level cosmic rays. For the final ground testing, we will use the Fermilab test beam to characterize the central detector and veto performance at specific particle energies. Veto performance on the previous detector design has been promising, and we were able to veto a high percentage of all particles that can penetrate the passive shielding of the satellite. These laboratory results and simulations of the CubeSat detector design will raise the technological readiness level of the planned technological demonstrator flight to the sun, and the current level of shielding performance is promising for a successful CubeSat test flight.