System Design for the Event Horizon Imaging Experiment Using the PECMEO Concept

The concept for space interferometry from Polar or Equatorial Circular Medium Earth Orbits (the PECMEO concept) is a promising way to acquire the image of the “shadow” of the event horizon of Sagittarius A* with an angular resolution of circa 5 microarcseconds. The concept is intended to decrease the size of the main reflector of the instrument to about 3 m using a precise orbit reconstruction based on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) navigation, inter-satellite range and range-rate measurements, and data from the Attitude and Orbit Determination System (AODS). The paper provides the current progress on the definition of the subsystems required for the concept on the basis of simulations, radio regulations, and available technology. The paper proposes the requirement for the localization of the phase centre of the main reflector. The paper provides information about the visibility of GNSS satellites and the needed accuracies of the AODS. The paper proposes the frequency plan for the instrument and its Inter-Satellite Links (ISLs). The concepts for measurement of range and range rate using ISLs (as well as for the data exchange at these ISLs) are presented. The block diagram of the interferometer is described and its sensitivity is estimated. The link budget for both ISLs is given as well as their critical components. The calculated measurement quality factors are given. The paper shows the expected performance of the sub-systems of the interferometer. The requirements for the localization of the main reflectors and the information about the availability of the GNSS satellites are based on the simulations results. The frequency plan is obtained according to the PECMEO concept and taking into account the radio regulations. The existing technology defines the accuracies of the AODS as well as the link budgets and the measurement accuracies for both ISLs and the sensitivity of the instrument. The paper provides input information for the development of the orbit reconstruction filter and the whole PECMEO system.      

An Event Horizon Imager(EHI) Mission Concept Utilizing Medium Earth Orbit Sub-mm Interferometry

Submillimeter interferometry has the potential to image supermassive black holes on event horizon scales, providing tests of the theory of general relativity and increasing our understanding of black hole accretion processes. The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) performs these observations from the ground, and its main imaging targets are Sagittarius A* in the Galactic Center and the black hole at the center of the M87 galaxy. However, the EHT is fundamentally limited in its performance by atmospheric effects and sparse terrestrial (u,v)-coverage (Fourier sampling of the image). The scientific interest in quantitative studies of the horizon size and shape of these black holes has motivated studies into using space interferometry which is free of these limitations. Angular resolution considerations and interstellar scattering effects push the desired observing frequency to bands above 500 GHz.
This paper presents the requirements for meeting these science goals, describes the concept of interferometry from Polar or Equatorial Medium Earth Orbits (PECMEO) which we dub the Event Horizon Imager (EHI), and utilizes suitable space technology heritage. In this concept, two or three satellites orbit at slightly different orbital radii, resulting in a dense and uniform spiral-shaped (u,v)-coverage over time. The local oscillator signals are shared via an inter-satellite link, and the data streams are correlated on-board before final processing on the ground. Inter-satellite metrology and satellite positioning are extensively employed to facilitate the knowledge of the instrument position vector, and its time derivative. The European space heritage usable for both the front ends and the antenna technology of such an instrument is investigated. Current and future sensors for the required inter-satellite metrology are listed. Intended performance estimates and simulation results are given.