ST Personnel were invited to participate in the Alabama Space Grant Consortium's (ASGC) review of their ABEX proposal. The virtual review/discussion was held on 11/17/21 and the ST civil service invitees were Casa (Partnerships and Formulation Office), Stephen Elrod (ST14) and Jessica Gaskin (ST12). ST contractor invitees were Peter Jenke (ST12/UAH) and Michael Briggs (ST12/UAH).
The ABEX proposal is nearing completion and proposes a 12U CubeSat with instruments which will detect gamma rays and x-rays. The science will focus particularly on the lower end of the energy spectrum where there will be little overlap with any other current instruments. The lower end of the energy spectrum has become increasingly interesting and this proposal appears well positioned/well timed in that regard. The ASGC includes students and faculty from several Alabama upper level educational institutions and is structured to produce real science while providing meaningful, real-world mission development experience to all participants.
