The Colorado Ultraviolet Transit Experiment (CUTE) Mission Overview

TL;DR

The CUTE CubeSat mission conducts ultraviolet transit spectroscopy to study atmospheric escape in close-in exoplanets, demonstrating small satellite capabilities for this scientific investigation with initial results from on-orbit observations.

Contribution

This paper introduces the CUTE mission, showcasing the use of a CubeSat for ultraviolet transit spectroscopy of exoplanets, a novel application for small satellites.

Findings

Successful deployment and operation in low-Earth orbit

Initial transit spectroscopy observations obtained

Potential for small satellites to contribute to exoplanet atmospheric studies

Abstract

Atmospheric escape is a fundamental process that affects the structure, composition, and evolution of many planets. The signatures of escape are detectable on close-in, gaseous exoplanets orbiting bright stars, owing to the high levels of extreme-ultraviolet irradiation from their parent stars. The Colorado Ultraviolet Transit Experiment (CUTE) is a CubeSat mission designed to take advantage of the near-ultraviolet stellar brightness distribution to conduct a survey of the extended atmospheres of nearby close-in planets. The CUTE payload is a magnifying NUV (2479~--~3306 Ang) spectrograph fed by a rectangular Cassegrain telescope (206mm x 84mm); the spectrogram is recorded on a back-illuminated, UV-enhanced CCD. The science payload is integrated into a 6U Blue Canyon Technology XB1 bus. CUTE was launched into a polar, low-Earth orbit on 27 September 2021 and has been conducting this transit spectroscopy survey following an on-orbit commissioning period. This paper presents the mission motivation, development path, and demonstrates the potential for small satellites to conduct this type of science by presenting initial on-orbit science observations. The primary science mission is being conducted in 2022~--~2023, with a publicly available data archive coming on line in 2023.