Starion is supporting satellite imagery specialist Satlantis in the preliminary design phase of a novel instrument capable of capturing extremely low light level images for ARRAKIHS, a European Space Agency (ESA) F-class mission. ARRAKIHS (Analysis of Resolved Remnants of Accreted Galaxies as a Key Instrument for Halo Surveys) will observe the halos of nearby galaxies to help scientists study dark matter and galaxy formation.
Dark matter and the evolution of galaxies are not fully understood. In particular, the Standard Model of Cosmology (the ΛCDM model), doesn’t adequately explain some of the smaller-scale structures observed in the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies. ARRAKIHS will observe ultra-low surface brightness objects in the halos of nearby galaxies to support investigations into the differences between the predictions of the ΛCDM model and current ground-based observations.
Earth’s atmosphere makes it impossible to capture ultra-low light images from the ground, which is the impetus for creating a space mission that can deliver a statistically significant set of relevant data. For ARRAKIHS, Satlantis has designed a pair of instruments to observe the ‘local’ universe in the visible and infrared wavelengths at brightness levels that are lower than anything previously flown on a spacecraft. Both instruments are identical binocular telescopes with cameras optimised for low surface brightness astronomy.
F-class missions have a much faster development cycle than other ESA missions and ARRAKIHS is currently one of only two such missions. Starion is working with Satlantis during the preliminary design phase to support product and quality assurance processes. Starion will also support system level environmental testing, including thermal vacuum and mechanical vibration tests, which are required to ensure the instruments can withstand the conditions that will be experienced during launch and in space.
Silvia de Castro Garcia, Starion Managing Director, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Satlantis in the development of the novel instruments for the ARRAKIHS spacecraft, especially as it is a pioneer in ESA’s F-class mission category. Working on such a unique mission is exciting for all those involved and we look forward to hearing what the scientists discover in future from the data ARRAKIHS gathers.”
ESA is expected to make the final decision whether to adopt ARRAKIHS as a full mission in Q2 of 2026. If adopted, it is scheduled to launch in 2030 in a Sun synchronous orbit in a spacecraft featuring a specially-designed shield to protect the instruments from light contamination from the Sun.
Main image © NASA, ESA & M. Rejkuba (European Southern Observatory)