Update on the ongoing ATHENA optic testing at PANTER

Abstract

At the PANTER X-ray test facility of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics the testing of optics for ESAs ATHENA Mission is ongoing, as part of work towards the mission acceptance review. The ATHENA 2.6-m diameter mirror assembly comprises an aluminium support structure that holds the 600 Silicon Pore optic Modules (SPOs) that focus the X-rays coming from the sources in the universe. At PANTER, these lightweight SPO modules are being tested individually or mounted in a petal that represents a sixth of the mirror structure. MM-0051 is the last iteration of a single mid-radius SPO to be tested at PANTER. A detailed description of the MM-0051 measurements is presented here. The characterization of three ATHENA "row 8" SPO optics produced to be inserted into the test petals shows that they will provide the necessary precision on the localization of the PSF on the detector to allow the verification of the thermal models of different mirror structure designs by the primes Airbus Defense and Space and Thales Alenia Space. Currently the opto-thermo-mechanical tests are ongoing at PANTER.

Characterization of the x-ray beam at PANTER

“…All facility parameters, like pressures, temperatures, status of valves, etc., as well as all manipulator parameters are remotely operated and controlled, and permanently monitored and logged. The PANTER test facility is involved in many past, current, and proposed X-ray astronomy space missions (e.g., ROSAT, XMM-Newton, Chandra, eROSITA 2 , Einstein Probe 1,3 , ATHENA 4 ). Many types of X-ray optics, optical assemblies, full telescopes, gratings, detectors, and other flight and development hardware are tested and characterized on a regular basis.…”