The Black Hole Explorer (BHEX): preliminary antenna design

T. K. Sridharan; R. Lehmensiek; D. Marrone; P. Cheimets; M. Freeman; P. Galison; J. Houston; M. Johnson; M. Silver

doi:10.1117/12.3020504

23 August 2024 The Black Hole Explorer (BHEX): preliminary antenna design

T. K. Sridharan, R. Lehmensiek, D. Marrone, P. Cheimets, M. Freeman, P. Galison, J. Houston, M. Johnson, M. Silver

Proceedings Volume 13092, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2024: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave; 130926S (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3020504
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2024, Yokohama, Japan

Conference Poster

Abstract

We present the basic design of a large, light weight, spaceborne antenna for the Black Hole Explorer (BHEX) space Very Long Baseline Interferometry (space-VLBI) mission, achieving high efficiency operation at mm/submm wavelengths. An introductory overview of the mission and its science background are provided. The BHEX mission targets fundamental black hole physics enabled by the detection of the finely structured image feature around black holes known as the photon ring, theoretically expected due to light orbiting the black hole before reaching the observer. Interferometer baselines much longer than an earth diameter are necessary to attain the spatial resolution required to detect the photon ring, leading to a space component. The science goals require high sensitivity observations at mm/sub-mm wavelengths, placing stringent constraints on antenna performance. The design approach described, seeks to balance the antenna aperture, volume and mass constraints of the NASA Explorers mission opportunity profile and the desired high performance. A 3.5 m aperture with a 40 μm surface rms is targeted. Currently, a symmetric, dual reflector, axially displaced ellipse (Gregorian ring focus) optical design and metallized carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) sandwich construction have been chosen to deliver high efficiency and light weight. Further exploration of design choices and parameter space and reflector shaping studies are in progress.

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

T. K. Sridharan, R. Lehmensiek, D. Marrone, P. Cheimets, M. Freeman, P. Galison, J. Houston, M. Johnson, and M. Silver "The Black Hole Explorer (BHEX): preliminary antenna design", Proc. SPIE 13092, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2024: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave, 130926S (23 August 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3020504

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