SVOM Real-time Response and Collaboration System

TL;DR

The SVOM mission's real-time response system, utilizing BeiDou-3 communication, enhances gamma-ray burst detection and collaboration, significantly increasing scientific output during its first year of operation.

Contribution

Introduction of SVOM's real-time response and collaboration system, including design, data flow, and operational mechanisms, with integration of BeiDou-3 communication.

Findings

Detected 172 gamma-ray bursts in the first year

Performed 1040 observations including various ToO types

Enhanced scientific output through improved response system

Abstract

The SVOM mission (Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Objects Monitor) is a Franco-Chinese mission dedicated to the study of the most distant explosions of stars, the gamma-ray bursts. Here, we introduce the real-time response and collaboration system of SVOM, with the adoption of the BeiDou-3 short message communication service. We present the SVOM on-board and on-ground system designs and data flow, together with the collaboration mechanism with other missions. In the first year of the in-flight operation, SVOM has detected 172 gamma-ray bursts, including 147 by the GRM instrument and 62 by the ECLAIRs instrument. At the same time, SVOM has performed 1040 observations, including 122 ToO-EX(Target of Opportunity-Exceptional) observations, 48 ToO-MM(Target of Opportunity-Multi-messenger) observations and 870 ToO-NOM(Target of Opportunity-Nominal) observations. All these have increased the scientific output of the mission.