SPRITE

Supernova Remnants and Proxies for ReIonization Testbed Experiment

Observing the influence of massive stars in galaxies

Artist's drawing of SPRITE in orbit

The Supernova remnants and Proxies for ReIonization Testbed Experiment (SPRITE) CubeSat is a 12U CubeSat designed to carry out two science objectives. SPRITE will spend roughly half of the projected two-year baseline mission mapping shock emission in supernova remnants in the Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds, and the other half determining the escape fraction of hydrogen ionizing radiation from 100 low-redshift star-forming galaxies. In parallel with the science operations, SPRITE will execute a calibration program that will track the stability of the mirror coatings and detector over the mission lifetime.

Mission Class:

CubeSats

Mission Status:

Future

LASP Roles:

Research, Instruments, Data, Mission Operations, Engineering, Lead Institute

Science Target:

Interstellar

Mission Focus:

Stellar Physics

Primary Mission Site:

Artist's drawing of SPRITE in orbit

Launch Date: 2024
Prime Mission: 2 years

Lead Institution: LASP

Lead Funding Agency: NASA Astrophysics