Project Title

The GUSTO (Galactic / Extragalactic ULDB Spectroscopic Terahertz Observatory)

Summary

Event Number:
A-136-M
NASA/NSF Agreement

Program Director:
Dr. Vladimir Papitashvili

ASC POC/Implementer:
John Rand / Kaija Webster / Chad Naughton

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Christopher Walker
cwalker@arizona.edu
University of Arizona Tucson
Steward Observatory

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station
Research Locations: McMurdo LDB Site

Description

The Galactic / Extragalactic ULDB Spectroscopic Terahertz Observatory (GUSTO) mission is a long-duration balloon mission that carries a far-infrared telescope and cryogenic instrument to measure fine-structure line emission from the interstellar medium. The mission, managed by NASA's Explorers Program, is slated for a launch in December 2023 from the LDB site near McMurdo Station. GUSTO will provide the first complete study of the full life cycle of the interstellar medium, the gas and dust from which all stars and planets are formed. The 0.9m telescope will be lifted by a zero-pressure balloon to an altitude of 120,000 feet above Antarctica, at the edge of space. It will map large portions of the Milky Way Galaxy and the Large Magellanic Cloud in the spectral light of ionized nitrogen (205 microns), ionized carbon (158 microns) and oxygen (63 microns). The cryogenic lifetime of GUSTO is 75 days.

Field Season Overview

The GUSTO instrument will ship by air to the LDB site, arriving for the opening of the LDB camp by the beginning of November. Unlike most balloon payloads, GUSTO will ship to the Ice fully assembled and ideally will only need to be uncrated, erected, powered, cryogenically cooled, tested and then flown -- with little other assembly required. Twelve total participants are expected to deploy to LDB for some portion of the field campaign. Timely deliveries of cryogens (helium and nitrogen) at the beginning of November and December are required. GUSTO is expected to launch in December. Stakeholder discussions would be required before proceeding with a launch later than 31 December. With a long flight duration of up to 75 days, GUSTO is permitted by the NSF to fly off-continent. Recovery is desired but not required.

Deploying Team Members