3U Transat: a cubesat constellation to boost the multi-messenger astronomy

TL;DR

The paper proposes a constellation of nano-satellites called 3U Transat to enhance multi-messenger astronomy by providing full sky coverage for high-energy electromagnetic observations, improving detection and localization of cosmic events.

Contribution

It introduces the 3U Transat nano-satellite constellation concept, detailing its design, scientific goals, and performance optimization through a dynamic simulator.

Findings

Optimized constellation size improves detection rates.

Simulation shows enhanced localization accuracy.

Full sky coverage increases joint multi-messenger event detection.

Abstract

Thanks to the advent of sensitive gravitational wave (GW) and neutrino detectors, multi-messenger (MM) astronomy will deeply transform our understanding of the Universe contents and evolution over cosmological times. To fully exploit the forthcoming GW and neutrino discoveries, it is crucial to detect as many electromagnetic (EM) counterparts as possible, but up to now, only one event has been detected by both GW detectors (Ligo/Virgo) and electromagnetic detectors (Fermi/GBM (Gamma ray Burst Monitor) and Integral), the short gamma-ray burst GRB 170817A/GW 170817 associated with the merger of a binary neutron star. To help improving the rate of joint MM events, it is crucial for the EM detectors in particular at high-energy in space to observe all the sky with a decent sensitivity. To do so, we propose the development of 3U Transat (TRANsient sky SATellites) project. 3U Transat is a constellation of nano-satellites offering a full sky coverage with a limited investment. The goal of this article is to present the 3U Transat project and its main scientific drivers as well as its current status. We will also describe our dynamic simulator used to optimise the scientific performances of the constellation. We will show highlights of the expected performances in term of detection and localisation capabilities as a function of the number of satellites in the constellation.