The ESA Advanced Telescope for High-ENergy Astrophysics (ATHENA) will be the largest X-ray optics ever built. The ground calibration of its mirror assembly raises significant difficulties due to its unprecedented size, mass and focal length. The VERT-X project aims at developing an innovative calibration system which will be able to accomplish this extremely challenging task. The design is based on a 2.5 cm2parallel beam produced by an X-ray source positioned in the focus of a highly performing collimator; in order to cover the whole 2.5m diameter mirror, the beam is accurately moved by a raster-scan mechanism. The same device has the capability to tilt the beam by 3 degrees, in order to test both the off-axis performance and the out-of-field stray-light contamination. By design, VERT-X will be able to measure the ATHENA mirror half energy width (HEW) with a precision of 0.1”, all over the field of view, with the source size, the collimator error and the raster scan tracking accuracy being the most important terms of the error budget. With respect to the traditional long-tubes, the VERT-X facility is much more compact. The entire system will be enclosed in a cylindrical 18m-high vacuum chamber with diameter ranging from 7m as maximum to 4m at minimum. Besides the smaller amount of involved resources, there are important benefits generated by the small scale design. First, it allows a vertical geometry which largely simplifies the mirror support and reduces to zero the PSF degradation due to the lateral gravity. Then, the location of the facility can be chosen flexibly and according to the project needs. Indeed, VERT-X will be built in continuity to the ATHENA mirror assembly integration facility, simplifying the verification and testing procedures. The VERT-X project, started in January 2018, is financed by ESA and conducted by a consortium that includes INAF, EIE, Media Lario, Apogeo Space (former GPAP), and BCV Progetti.
Clamshells are perfect small-sized domes able to satisfy many specific needs of possible telescope array applications. After in-depth studies conducted by the EIE Research and Development (R&D) department, this paper provides an overview of how it is possible to design scaling Clamshells of different diameters capable of guaranteeing excellent protection of the equipment inside, excellent resistance to wind and possible earthquakes, flexibility in the possibility of implementing additional accessories, and easy maintenance. In particular, the paper will deal with Clamshell’s structure, motion system, access, lightning protection system, heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, corrosion protection system, and deicing system.
Calibration of the ATHENA telescope is a critical aspect of the project and raises significant difficulties due to the unprecedented size, mass and focal length of the mirror assembly. The VERT-X project, financed by ESA and started in January 2019 by a Consortium led by INAF and which includes EIE, Media Lario Technologies, GPAP, and BCV Progetti, aims to design an innovative calibration facility. In the VERT-X design the parallel beam, needed for calibration, is produced placing a source in the focus of an X-ray collimator. This system is mounted on a raster-scan mechanism which covers the entire ATHENA optics. The compactness of the VERT-X design allows a vertical geometry for the ATHENA calibration facility, with several potential benefits with respect to the long horizontal tube calibration facilities.
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