PADRE
The Solar Polarization and Directivity X-Ray Experiment
PADRE is a NASA cubesat system measuring the polarization and directivity of hard X-rays.
ROLE OF THE INSTITUTE FOR DATA SCIENCE
> Detector calibration
> Scientific data exploitation
Project lead at I4DS: Muriel Stiefel and Säm Krucker
Partners: UC Berkeley Space Sciences Lab (SSL), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Southwest Research Institute (SWRI), CEA Paris-Saclay, EnduroSat
Launch: 2025
Keywords: space sciences, heliophysics, hard X-rays
SUMMARY
PADRE is a NASA cubesat mission lead by Juan Carlos Martinez Oliveros (UC Berkeley), which flies 4 spare detectors from FHNW’s STIX telescope. PADRE orbits Earth, while STIX travels around the Sun on board ESA’s Solar Orbiter. Joint observations between PADRE and STIX allow us to make solar flare observations from two different viewing angles to probe the directivity of X-ray emissions.
PEOPLE @I4DS WHO WORK ON PADRE
OPEN RESOURCES AND RESULTS
VISUALS AND AUDIO
The PADRE cubesat turns around itself on a low earth orbit, always pointing to the Sun. Image credit: SSL
The PADRE cubesat consists of 12 units. Here, it awaits thermal testing in SSL clean room. Image credit: Alan Toth