SUMIT (SuperMirror Imaging Telescope experiment) - Launch rehearsal

SUMIT (SUperMirror Imaging Telescope experiment) was a joint program between Nagoya University and Osaka University, also in collaboration between Chubu University, ISAS/JAXA and JASRI/SPring-8 on instrument development. Formerly it was known as NUSMIT (Nagoya University SuperMirror Imaging Telescope experiment).

The main scientific goals of the SUMIT experiment are the detection of particle acceleration mechanisms in the universe, direct measurements of the emission of black holes hidden by thick interstellar clouds in the cores of galaxies, and the study of nucleosynthesis in supernova remnants to understand the reprocessing cycle. of chemical elements in the universe. The data and images collected by the telescope will be analyzed by the researchers.

SUMIT is one of the recent stratospheric balloon experiments developed in the world to observe energetic X-rays through focusing techniques using geometric optics (until then restricted to X-rays with energies below 10 kiloelectronvolts, or keV). The images produced by SUMIT can reach 100 keV.

Balloon launched on: 12/20/2005 at M
Launch site: Balloon Launch Sector, Cachoeira Paulista, Brazil  
Balloon launched by: Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) / SLB INPE
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon  
Balloon serial number: PB15u-2
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 12/20/2005
Landing site: Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Payload weight: 1298 kg

Flight data no available due to the fact that the mission was intended to be a launch rehearsal without releasing the balloon

The objective of this no-flight test was to stablish semi-dynamic launch method (originally developed by ISAS/JAXA) at the INPE balloon base, and to study and learn about launch procedures of large payloads for the upcoming 2006 NUSMIT telescope balloon launch. For the principal investigator this was also an opportunity to learn about logistics and field operations in Brazil.

Operation was done as usual, except that the gondola was a dummy one with a similar shape and weight than the real one and was no detined to fly. Balloon was inflated and released, and then after measuring free lift, it was pulled down to the ground.

• NUSMIT web site Nagoya University