The LOFT Ground Segment

Bozzo E, Antonelli A, Argan A, Barret D, Binko P, Brandt S, Cavazzuti E, Courvoisier T, Den Herder JW, Feroci M, Ferrigno C, Giommi P, Goetz D, Guy L, Hernanz M, In'T Zand JJM, Klochkov D, Kuulkers E, Motch C, Lumb D, Papitto A, Pittori C, Rohlfs R, Santangelo A, Schmid C, Schwope AD, Smith PJ, Webb NA, Wilms J, Zane S (2014)


Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2014

Journal

Book Volume: 9144

Article Number: UNSP 91446A

DOI: 10.1117/12.2054728

Abstract

LOFT, the Large Observatory For X-ray Timing, was one of the ESA M3 mission candidates that completed their assessment phase at the end of 2013. LOFT is equipped with two instruments, the Large Area Detector (LAD) and the Wide Field Monitor (WFM). The LAD performs pointed observations of several targets per orbit (similar to 90 minutes), providing roughly similar to 80 GB of proprietary data per day (the proprietary period will be 12 months). The WFM continuously monitors about 1/3 of the sky at a time and provides data for about similar to 100 sources a day, resulting in a total of similar to 20 GB of additional telemetry. The LOFT Burst alert System additionally identifies on-board bright impulsive events (e.g., Gamma-ray Bursts, GRBs) and broadcasts the corresponding position and trigger time to the ground using a dedicated system of similar to 15 VHF receivers. All WFM data are planned to be made public immediately. In this contribution we summarize the planned organization of the LOFT ground segment (GS), as established in the mission Yellow Book1. We describe the expected GS contributions from ESA and the LOFT consortium. A review is provided of the planned LOFT data products and the details of the data flow, archiving and distribution. Despite LOFT was not selected for launch within the M3 call, its long assessment phase (>2 years) led to a very solid mission design and an efficient planning of its ground operations.

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How to cite

APA:

Bozzo, E., Antonelli, A., Argan, A., Barret, D., Binko, P., Brandt, S.,... Zane, S. (2014). The LOFT Ground Segment.

MLA:

Bozzo, E., et al. "The LOFT Ground Segment." 2014.

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