WINK Satellite

WINK, is a payload funded with the PRIN 2022 call, born from the close collaboration between GSSI [Gran Sasso Science Institute], UNINA [Federico II, University of Naples] and INFN [National Institute of Nuclear Physics]. In particular, the electronic system is designed by the INFN-Section of Naples while the mechanical one by UNINA, in collaboration with Sòphia High Tech.

This scientific payload was created as a prototype of a larger detector and will be composed of 3 of the 112 pixels that will make up the complete detector, with the primary purpose of testing the detection strategy. WINK represents a technological forerunner for future gamma ray detection experiments, under the aegis of ASI [Italian Space Agency] and on board the inaugural flight of Space Rider by ESA [European Space Agency].

WINK will operate in orbit for two months, then return to Earth and will test a new technology in a space environment to observe the gamma ray sky by measuring Gamma Ray Burst (GRB), in the energy range of interest 10 keV ÷ 30 MeV. The WINK payload mission will be divided into two main phases:

• Space observation mode: the detector points towards the deep sky. In this phase, the continuous characterization of cosmic rays in orbit and the search for GRBs will be carried out. The minimum duration required for this phase is at least 5 weeks.
• Earth observation mode: The detector points towards the Earth. In this phase, Earth observation will be carried out (e.g. gamma ray flashes). The minimum duration required is 1 week.

WINK è utilizzato per applicazioni di Ricerca e Sviluppo nell’ambito delle Scienze Fisiche ed è classificato come Fixed Payload (rimanendo fissato all’MPCB di Space Rider MPCB durante la missione), e Direct Exposure Required (DER) Payload richiedendo, per la natura dell’esperimento da eseguire, un’esposizione diretta e continua all’ambiente spaziale.