athena

The X-IFU has recently undergone several changes in its design architecture. An important work ahead of the launch is to analyse, verify and understand the X-IFU capabilities when observing. That’s why the instrument response files have been updated.

Simon Bandler is Project manager for the U.S. contribution to the X-IFU & Research Astrophysicist at NASA. He shares with us his background in low-temperature physics detection and explains his role in the project.

A new cryogenic workshop, the first gathering of all the main parties in the newly reformulated X-IFU cooling chain, took place January 31st through February 2nd in Toulouse, at CNES.

The result of the Women Astronomer Infographic contest to celebrate the International Day of Girls and Women in Science is out! The contest aimed to showcase the invaluable contributions of women astronomers through engaging infographics.

The DRE De-multiplexing (DEMUX) Demonstrator Model (DM) printed circuit board (PCB) arrived at IRAP on January 15. It was designed by the DRE team at IRAP, with CAO-concept handling the layout and CIBEL the manufacturing. 

We’re delighted to share with you one of the latest news on the project’s progress. At the end of 2023, successful tests were carried out at CEA DSBT in Grenoble.

To celebrate the International Day of Girls and Women in Science (11th of February), we launch a call to highlight the invaluable contributions of women astronomers,

The year 2023 has just come to an end. 2024 opens with new perspectives for the X-IFU project and for the Consortium. On behalf of the X-IFU Consortium, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your confidence. We wish you all a very happy and successful new year!

From November 20 to 22, 178 men and women gathered online for the 17th meeting of the X-IFU consortium.

Congratulations to Florent CASTELLANI who defended his thesis entitled “Study of the scientific and instrumental performances of Athena’s X-Ray Integral Field Unit”, on Friday November 17, 2023 at IRAP. 

On Wednesday November 8, 2023, ESA’s Science Programme Committee (SPC) formally and unanimously approved the restart of industrial studies for the Athena mission, still considered as a flagship mission.

Following the necessity to bring the ESA Cost at Completion below €1.3 billion, the Athena mission and the X-IFU have entered a reformulation phase in 2022.