Space-based radio astronomy

One of the last unexplored frequency ranges in radio astronomy is the frequency band below 30 MHz. This band is scientifically interesting for exploring the early cosmos at high hydrogen red shifts, the so-called dark-ages. This frequency range is also well-suited for discovery of planetary and solar bursts in other solar systems, for obtaining a tomographic view of space weather, and for many other astronomical areas of interest.

Because of the ionospheric scintillation below ~30 MHz and the opaqueness of the ionosphere below ~15 MHz, earth-bound radio astronomy observations in those bands would be severely limited in sensitivity and spatial resolution, or would be entirely impossible. Our aim is to build a radio telescope in space to explore these low frequencies. This includes research on autonomous sensor systems in space to explore this new frequency band for radio astronomy. We expect this route will lead to new science by breakthroughs in experimental astronomy and engineering sciences.