Arzoumanian, Z.

NASA Technical Reports Server

1GSFC
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20150012724 2019-08-31T07:39:24+00:00Z
2• Science: Understanding ultra-dense matter through 
soft X-ray timing of neutron stars
• Launch: August 2016, SpaceX-12 resupply
• Platform: ISS ExPRESS Logistics Carrier (ELC), 
with active pointing over nearly a full hemisphere
• Duration: 24 months, including Guest Observer 
program in Year 2
• Instrument: X-ray (0.2–12 keV) “concentrator” 
optics and silicon-drift detectors; GPS position & 
absolute time tagging
• Enhancements:
– Guest Observer program
– Demonstration of pulsar-based 
navigation
• Status:
– Passed CDR, Sep 2014
– Passed ISS Phase 2 Safety Review, Nov 2014
3• Spectral band: 0.2–12 keV
– Well matched to neutron stars
– Overlaps RXTE and XMM-Newton
• Timing resolution: 100 nsec RMS absolute
– 50x better than RXTE
– 100x–1000x better than XMM-Newton
• Energy resolution: 2% @ 6 keV
– 10x better than RXTE
• Non-imaging FOV: 6 arcmin
– 10x better than RXTE
• Sensitivity, 5σ: 5.3 x 10–14 erg/s/cm2 
– 0.5–10 keV in 10 ksec (Crab-like 
spectrum)
– 20x better than RXTE
– 3x better than XMM-Newton’s timing 
capability
An unprecedented combination of sensitivity, timing, and 
energy resolution
4NICER’s key science objective: 
determine the radii of several 
neutron stars to ±5%
Credit: CXC
5• X-ray Timing Instrument (XTI)
– Detects individual X-ray photons,
returns energy & time of arrival
– 56 X-ray concentrators, detectors held in 
the Instrument Optical Bench
• Thermal Control System
– Maintains thermal-mechanical alignment
• Pointing System
– Composed of high-heritage components
– Enables tracking of inertial targets
– Slews XTI between targets
• C&DH
– Digital int’face to ISS for commands, data
– Supports pointing system
• Flight Releasable Attachment Mechanism
– Electrical & mechanical interface to ISS 
and transfer vehicle
– Provided by ISS program
y
Sunshades and X-Ray 
Concentrators (56)
Focal Plane Modules (56)
DAPS (EL/AZ, 
Deploy, & Latching 
actuators w/ 
EVR/EVA fixture 
for each)
Star Tracker 
GPS Antenna
Electronics
AFRAM
Frangibolt Launch Lock 
mounts (also serve as 
conical support when 
NICER is stowed)
Adapter Plate
HiPos Box
Contamination 
Shield (protects 
XRCs)
Radiator surface
Connector Bracket
XTI
An innovative combination of high-heritage components
6First 56 Optics!
Integration FacilityDetectors 
& Housing
7ISS is a great place to do NICER science!
8NICER tools at HEASARC available to anticipate 
observations of your favorite targets
• Up to 7 Msec for general X-ray astrophysics
– Timing-spectral studies of black holes
– Coronal emission from stars
– Highly redshifted iron lines
– … and much more!
9• Millisecond pulsar discovery
rate is booming
• Overlap with many other 
missions— science synergies
boost returns for all
• Community awaits follow-on to 
RXTE
• NICER technology is mature
• ISS is ready to support science 
experiments
http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/nicer
NICER mailing list, image gallery, tools, etc. 


NICER - Capabilities and Status

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