T-REX

Time-Resolving Black Holes from LEO

Ref Bari, Brown University

20000\text{ km}

400\text{ km}

\text{BHEX}

\text{Pathfinder}

"Metrics and Motivations for Earth–Space VLBI: Time-resolving Sgr A* with the Event Horizon Telescope" Palumbo et. al. ApJ 2019

\text{BHEX}

\text{T-REX}

\text{EHT}

\text{T-REX}

\text{EHT}

\text{LEO}

\text{MEO}

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution:

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}

Time-scale of Sgr A* accretion disk: 4<T<30 minutes (0<J<1)
Time-scale of LEO Orbit: 90 minutes, with 22-minute (u,v) coverage

"Imaging the event horizon of M87* from space on different timescales" Shlentsova et. al. ApJ 2024

Pathfinder

Pathfinder

Black Hole

VLBI

LEO

Black Hole

VLBI

LEO

Schwarzschild Black Hole

ds=\left(1-\frac{2M}{r}\right)^{-1}dt^2 + \left(1-\frac{2M}{r}\right)dr^2 + r^2 (\sin^2\phi d^2\theta + d^2\theta)

Very Long Baseline Interferometry

I(l,m)

A(l,m)

e^{-2\pi i (ul+vm)}

\int

dl dm

V(u,v)=

Low-Earth Orbit

\text{To time resolve Sgr A*, we must have} \\f_{coverage}>50\% \text{ in } t < T_{ISCO} \sim 30 \text{ min}

Black Hole

VLBI

LEO

🎯 Introduction
✨ Black Holes: An Intro
🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
📡 BHEX Mini Operational Profiles
🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
💰Funding Deadlines

Pathfinder

🎯 Introduction
✨ Black Holes: An Intro
🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
📡 BHEX Mini Operational Profiles
🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
💰Funding Deadlines

Pathfinder

Ref Bari

Physics MS, Brown

Analysis of Binary Black Holes via Neural Networks (under Prof. Brendan Keith, Brown)
- Funded under NSF Neural DynAMO Grant
“Nitrogen Outgassing from Water Worlds” (R.Bari et. al., under review, The Astrophysical Journal 2025)
“Reflection from Relativistic Light Sails” (R. Bari, The Astronomical Journal 2024)
“Simulating the Action Principle in Optics” (R. Bari, The Physics Teacher 2023)
Spin Qubit CNN Researcher at the Meriles Condensed Matter Lab
“A Path Integral Derivation of Hawking Radiation” (MS Thesis)

Binary Black Holes

Physics MS, Brown

Analysis of Binary Black Holes via Neural Networks (Prof. Brendan Keith, Brown)
- Funded under NSF Neural DynAMO Grant

Brown Space Engineering

Spaceflight Heritage

EQUiSat

SBUDNIC

PVDX

Spaceflight Heritage

SBUDNIC

PVDX

1U CubeSat (1.3 kg, 10x10x10 cm)
Payload: High-Power LED Array + LiFePO4 Batteries (<6 kg)
ADCS: Passive Magnetic Atitude Control System
Power Generated: 1.3W (Top+Bottom Panels) & .7W (Side)
Total Cost: $5000
- All components built in-house at Brown Engineering Lab

EQUiSat

3U CubeSat (3 kg, 30x10x10 cm)
Payload: Ham Radio Transceiver, 2 Cameras, Arduino Nano
ADCS: Spring-Loaded + Aerodynamic Drag Sail
Power Generated: 1.3W (Top+Bottom Panels) & .7W (Side)
Total Cost: $10,000
- 3D-Printed Components at BDW

3U CubeSat (~6 kg, 30x10x10 cm)
Payload: Perovskite Solar Panels + Robotic Arm + Digital Display
ADCS: Magnetorquers
Total Cost: ~$30,000
- 3D-Printed Components at BDW
- CUBECOM S-Band Transceiver ($10,000)

Spaceflight Heritage

SBUDNIC

PVDX

EQUiSat

Pathfinder

Pathfinder

\textbf{Primary Science Objectives: }\text{Time-Resolve Sgr A*'s Accretion Disk at 86 GHz}

\text{Conduct 86 GHz VLBI survey from LEO}

\text{Enable time-resolved multi-messenger astronomy}

10 \text{ GHz}

47 \text{ GHz}

220 \text{ GHz}

1100 \text{ GHz}

Pathfinder

🎯 Introduction
🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
📡 BHEX Mini Operational Profiles
🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
💰Funding Deadlines
🤝 The Request

M87

Sgr A*

M=2.4\times 10^{12}M_{\circ}

M=4.3\times 10^{9}M_{\circ}

M=2.4\times 10^{12}M_{\circ}

0.5 < J<1

J=?

D_L=55\times10^9 \text{ ly}

D_L=30,000\text{ ly}

M87

Sgr A*

Black Hole (M87)

Event Horizon Telescope

(2019)

Event Horizon Telescope (EHT)

Event Horizon Telescope

(2019)

Event Horizon Telescope (EHT)

Pathfinder

🎯 Introduction
🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
📡 BHEX Mini Operational Profiles
🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
💰Funding Deadlines
🤝 The Request

Pathfinder

🎯 Introduction
🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
📡 BHEX Mini Operational Profiles
🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
💰Funding Deadlines
🤝 The Request

Spaceflight Heritage

EQUiSat

SBUDNIC

PVDX

Spaceflight Heritage

SBUDNIC

PVDX

EQUiSat

Pathfinder

\text{MEO} (20000 \text{ km})

\text{LEO} (400 \text{ km})

Pathfinder

Imaging a Black Hole

"Metrics and Motivations for Earth–Space VLBI: Time-resolving Sgr A* with the Event Horizon Telescope" Palumbo et. al. ApJ 2019

Optical Terminals

RF Tracking Stations

VLBI Ground Stations

\text{T-REX}

T-REX Data Center

Optical Terminals

RF Tracking Stations

VLBI Ground Stations

\text{T-REX}

T-REX Data Center

Optical Terminals

RF Tracking Stations

VLBI Ground Stations

\text{T-REX}

T-REX Data Center

Pathfinder

🎯 Introduction
🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
📡 BHEX Mini Operational Profiles
🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
💰Funding Deadlines
🤝 The Request

Pathfinder SWaPC

Size

Weight

Power

Cost

\sim 2.5m

\sim 25-50kg

22 kg

300W

400mW @15^{\circ}K

\$10 \text{mln}

754 mm \times \\ 146 mm \times \\ 300 mm

\$2-5 \text{Mln}

\$4-11 \text{Mln}

10-20W

\text{(deployment)}

5-7 kg

\sim 10W

\sim \$ 1 \text{mln}

\sim0.02m^3

\sim 1 kg

\sim 3W

\sim \$1\text{mln}^*

60 mm\times \\60mm \times \\32 mm

1U (100 mm\times \\100 mm \times \\100 mm)

1.2 kg

100W\\\text{generated}

\sim \$100\text{k}

3U (300 mm\times \\300 mm \times \\300 mm)

100W

3 kg

\sim \$1\text{mln}^*

\sim 4W

\sim 1 kg^*

12 mm \times \\12 mm

\sim \$1\text{mln}^*

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

NASA Pioneers

Aspera

Pandora

StarBurst

PUEO

(Galaxy Evolution via UV)

(Exoplanet Explorer)

(Neutron Stars via Gamma Rays)

(Particle Physics via High-Energy Neutrinos)

Mission Parameters

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as

\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}

\tau_{\text{Coherence, BHEX-Mini}}\lessapprox 2 \text{ min} \sim 120 s

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

SEFD

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 100K

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 100K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 100K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX}}\sim 18,000 \text{ Jy}

\text{SEFD}_{\text{ALMA}}\sim 74 \text{ Jy}

\text{SEFD}_{\text{SMA}}\sim 6700 \text{ Jy}

\text{SEFD}_{\text{SMT}}\sim 10,500 \text{ Jy}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}=\frac{1}{\eta_{\mathrm{Q}}} \sqrt{\frac{\mathrm{SEFD}_{\mathrm{BHEX}} \mathrm{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}}{2 \Delta \nu \Delta t}}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}=\frac{1}{\eta_{\mathrm{Q}}} \sqrt{\frac{\mathrm{SEFD}_{\mathrm{BHEX}} \mathrm{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}}{2 \Delta \nu \Delta t}}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}=\frac{1}{\eta_{\mathrm{Q}}} \sqrt{\frac{\mathrm{SEFD}_{\mathrm{EHT}} \mathrm{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}}{2 \Delta \nu \Delta t}}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}=\frac{1}{0.75} \sqrt{\frac{(18,000 \text{ Jy})(32,000 \text{Jy})}{2 (32 \text{GHz}) (100s)}}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}=\frac{1}{0.75} \sqrt{\frac{(6000 \text{ Jy})(32,000 \text{Jy})}{2 (32 \text{GHz}) (10s)}}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

\Delta \phi = 2\pi \cdot f \cdot \sigma_t

\sigma_t = \sigma_f \cdot \Delta t

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 2\pi \cdot f \cdot \sigma_t

\sigma_t = \sigma_f \cdot \Delta t

\sigma_t = 8\cdot 10^{-15} (\text{LISA USO})

\Delta \phi = 2\pi \cdot (86\cdot 10^9 \text{ Hz}) \cdot 8\cdot 10^{-15}s\sim 10^{-3} \text{ rad}<1 \text{ rad}

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\Delta t = \text{10 s})

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\Delta t = \text{10 s})

L = 1-\exp\left(-2\pi^{2}f^{2}t^{2}\sigma_y^{2}\right)

L = 1-\exp\left[-2\pi^{2}(86\cdot 10^9)^{2}(10)^{2}(5\cdot 10^{-11})^{2}\right]\sim 1\%

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})=N_{\text {bits }} \times \Delta \nu \times 2_{\text {pol }} \times 2_{\text {Nyquist }}

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})=N_{\text {bits }} \times \Delta \nu \times 2_{\text {pol }} \times 2_{\text {Nyquist }}

\text{Rate}\times T_{orb} \times \text{Duty Cycle} = \text{Total Data (GB)}

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}

\theta_{S-S} \sim \frac{\lambda}{D}

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}

\theta_{S-S} \sim \frac{\lambda}{D}=\frac{3.5mm}{20,000 km}

\theta_{S-G} \sim \frac{\lambda}{D}=\frac{3.5mm}{400 km}

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as

\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as

\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}

\tau<\frac{1}{\omega D_\lambda \theta_{\mathrm{FOV}}}

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as

\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}

\tau<\frac{1}{\omega D_\lambda \theta_{\mathrm{FOV}}}

\omega=\frac{2\pi}{P} = \frac{2\pi}{1.5 \text{ hr}\cdot \frac{3600 s}{1 \text{hr}}}=1.16\times 10^{-3} rad/s

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as

\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}

\tau<\frac{1}{\omega D_\lambda \theta_{\mathrm{FOV}}}

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as

\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}

\tau<\frac{1}{\omega D_\lambda \theta_{\mathrm{FOV}}}

\theta_{FOV} = 180 \mu as

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as

\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}

\tau<\frac{1}{\omega D_\lambda \theta_{\mathrm{FOV}}}=\frac{1}{(1.16\times 10^{-3} \frac{rad}{s}) (3.5 G\lambda)(1.6\cdot 10^{-7}s)}

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as

\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}

\tau_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}\lessapprox \frac{15G\lambda}{3.5 G\lambda}\lessapprox 4.2 \text{ min}, \tau_{\text{Coherence, BHEX-Mini}}\sim 275 s

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Systems Design

T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K

T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K

T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy

SEFD

USO

Data

\theta_{\text{Res}}

Orbit

\sigma_{\text{Noise}}

\tau_{\text{max}}

\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})

L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}

\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as

\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as

\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}

66.93s<\tau_{GS}<275s

\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}

\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}

Pathfinder

🎯 Introduction
🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
📡 BHEX Mini Operational Roles
🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
💰Funding Deadlines
🤝 The Request

Pathfinder

Partner Satellite to BHEX

Stand-alone Satellite

Pathfinder Mission

Pathfinder

Partner Satellite to BHEX

Stand-alone Satellite

Pathfinder Mission

Supplement (u,v) coverage at 86 GHz

Enable parameter estimation of Sgr A*/M87

Achieve Space-Space VLBI

20,200\text{ km}

400\text{ km}

Pathfinder

Partner Satellite to BHEX

Stand-alone Satellite

Pathfinder Mission

Supplement (u,v) coverage at 86 GHz

Enable parameter estimation of Sgr A*/M87

Achieve Space-Space VLBI

20,200\text{ km}

400\text{ km}

T-REX ConOps

Pathfinder

Partner Satellite to BHEX

Stand-alone Satellite

Pathfinder Mission

Supplement (u,v) coverage at 86 GHz

Enable parameter estimation of Sgr A*/M87

Achieve Space-Space VLBI

20,200\text{ km}

400\text{ km}

Pathfinder

Pathfinder Mission

Partner Satellite to BHEX

Stand-alone Satellite

Supplement (u,v) coverage at 86 GHz

Enable parameter estimation of Sgr A*/M87

Achieve Space-Space VLBI

Supplement (u,v) coverage at 86 GHz

Enable parameter estimation of Sgr A*/M87

Achieve Space-Space VLBI

Survey of >25 AGN+BH Targets @86 GHz

Enable Population Modeling of SMBHs

Enable real-time imaging of dynamical accretion disk around Sgr A*

Enable multi-messenger gravitational astronomy w/ LIGO + LISA

OJ 287

Pathfinder

Partner Satellite to BHEX

Stand-alone Satellite

Pathfinder Mission

Supplement (u,v) coverage at 86 GHz

Enable parameter estimation of Sgr A*/M87

Achieve Space-Space VLBI

Supplement (u,v) coverage at 86 GHz

Enable parameter estimation of Sgr A*/M87

Achieve Space-Space VLBI

Survey of >25 AGN+BH Targets @86 GHz

Enable Population Modeling of SMBHs

Enable real-time imaging of dynamical accretion disk around Sgr A*

Enable multi-messenger gravitational astronomy w/ LIGO + LISA

Enable low-cost Space-Ground & Space-Space VLBI

Pathfinder

🎯 Introduction
🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
📡 BHEX Mini Operational Roles
🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
💰Funding Deadlines
🤝 The Request

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

BHEX Mini

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

Prospects of Detecting a Jet in Sagittarius A* with VLBI (Chavez et. al., ApJ 2024)

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution:

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

32\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

What kind of targets can we observe with this angular resolution?

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution:

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

32\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

What kind of targets can we observe with this angular resolution?

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

20,000\text{ km}

12000\text{ km}

400\text{ km}

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution:

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

32\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

What kind of targets can we observe with this angular resolution?

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

20,000\text{ km}

12000\text{ km}

400\text{ km}

Metrics and Motivations for Earth–Space VLBI: Time-resolving Sgr A* with the Event Horizon Telescope (Palumbo et. al., ApJ 2019)

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution:

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

32\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

What kind of targets can we observe with this angular resolution?

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

400\text{ km}

Metrics and Motivations for Earth–Space VLBI: Time-resolving Sgr A* with the Event Horizon Telescope (Palumbo et. al., ApJ 2019)

20000\text{ km}

12000\text{ km}

\text{BHEX}

\text{BHEX Mini}

"Metrics and Motivations for Earth–Space VLBI: Time-resolving Sgr A* with the Event Horizon Telescope" Palumbo et. al. ApJ 2019

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution:

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

32\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

What kind of targets can we observe with this angular resolution?

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

Multifrequency Black Hole Imaging for the Next-generation Event Horizon Telescope (Chael et. al., 2023, ApJ)

400\text{ km}

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution:

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}

What is the integration time for BHEX Mini on the (u,v) plane?
Could BHEX Mini possibly enable direct imaging of dynamic accretion disk around Sgr A*? (i.e., creating a movie of a black hole!)

\text{To time resolve Sgr A*, we must have} \\f_{coverage}>50\% \text{ in } t < T_{ISCO} \sim 30 \text{ min}

Pathfinder

\text{To time resolve Sgr A*, we must have} \\f_{coverage}>50\% \text{ in } t < T_{ISCO} \sim 30 \text{ min}

Pathfinder

\tau<\frac{1}{\omega D_\lambda \theta_{\mathrm{FOV}}}

\sigma=\frac{1}{\eta_{\mathrm{Q}}} \sqrt{\frac{\mathrm{SEFD}_1 \mathrm{SEFD}_2}{2 \Delta \nu \tau}}

\text{Coherence Time}

\text{Thermal Noise}

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}

R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)

Maximum data transmission rate (in bits per second); How fast can you send data from BHEX Mini to the earth?

R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}

R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)

Power of Transmitted Signal: Strength of downlink signal in Watts (i.e., shouting louder to be heard further away!)

R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}

R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)

Transmitter Gain: How well-focused your signal is when it leaves the satellite

(i.e., shouting into a megaphone instead of into the wind)

R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}

R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)

Receiver Gain: How effectively the ground station collects and concentrates the incoming signal (i.e., ALMA's big dish listening to our incoming signal)

R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)

Received Power: How strong is the signal once it hits the ground receiver? (after traveling through empty space)

P_r = P_tG_tG_r \left( \frac{\lambda}{4\pi R}\right)^2 \cdot \eta

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}

R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)

Receiver Gain: How effectively the ground station collects and concentrates the incoming signal (i.e., ALMA's big dish listening to our incoming signal)

R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)

Distance: How much distance did the signal travel through free space? (LEO vs. MEO!)

P_r = P_tG_tG_r \left( \frac{\lambda}{4\pi R}\right)^2 \cdot \eta

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}

R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)

Receiver Gain: How effectively the ground station collects and concentrates the incoming signal (i.e., ALMA's big dish listening to our incoming signal)

R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)

Since BHEX Mini's laser downlink would suffer less signal loss from LEO than BHEX at MEO, can we transmit more data?
Can this be leveraged to use 2-bit quantization instead of 1-bit quantization?

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}

30 min

60 min

90 min

24 hr

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}

Pathfinder

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}

Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution

Dual short and long baseline lengths

Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane

Decreased signal loss from LEO

Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO

22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as

5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda

0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda

T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}

Decreased ISM scattering at LEO than MEO

R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)

P_r = P_tG_tG_r \left( \frac{\lambda}{4\pi R}\right)^2 \cdot \eta

Pathfinder

Decreased ISM scattering at LEO than MEO

Orbit design for mitigating interstellar scattering effects in Earth-space VLBI observations of Sgr A* (Aditya Tamar, Ben Hudson, Daniel C.M. Palumbo, A&A, 2025)

Pathfinder

Decreased ISM scattering at LEO than MEO

V_{obs}(b) = S\cdot \exp\left(-\frac{\pi^2 b^2\theta^2}{4\ln 2}\right)\exp \left(-\frac{1}{2} C_\phi^2 b^\alpha r_F^{2-\alpha}\right)

Intrinsic Gaussian Source

b=\frac{\lambda}{D}\to \text{BHEX Mini: } 0.1G\lambda b_{sg}<3.5G\lambda

b=\frac{\lambda}{D}\to \text{BHEX:}\geq 20G\lambda

Pathfinder

Decreased ISM scattering at LEO than MEO

V_{obs}(b) = S\cdot \exp\left(-\frac{\pi^2 b^2\theta^2}{4\ln 2}\right)\exp \left(-\frac{1}{2} C_\phi^2 b^\alpha r_F^{2-\alpha}\right)

ISM Scattering

C_{\phi}\propto \lambda^2 (\lambda_{\text{BHEX Mini}}=3.5 mm)

At MEO, BHEX is 20x the orbital altitude of BHEX Mini
BHEX observes at a f=320 GHz, 4x higher than BHEX Mini

Pathfinder

Decreased ISM scattering at LEO than MEO

V_{ratio}(b) = \frac{e^{-b_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}^2} e^{-\lambda_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}^2 b^\alpha}}{e^{-b_{\text{BHEX}}^2} e^{-\lambda_{\text{BHEX}}^2 b^\alpha}}

\lambda_{\text{BHEX Mini}}=3.7\lambda_{\text{BHEX}}, b_{\text{BHEX Mini}} = \frac{1}{5}b_{\text{BHEX}}

\lambda_{\text{BHEX}}=1.33mm, b_{\text{BHEX Mini}} \sim 20G\lambda

V_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}\sim 10V_{\text{BHEX}}

BHEX Mini Visibility Amplitude Advantage

Regardless of Source Flux Density!

V_{obs}(b) = S\cdot \exp\left(-\frac{\pi^2 b^2\theta^2}{4\ln 2}\right)\exp \left(-\frac{1}{2} C_\phi^2 b^\alpha r_F^{2-\alpha}\right)

Pathfinder

Size

Weight

Power

Cost

\sim 2.5m

\sim 25-50kg

22 kg

300W

400mW @15^{\circ}K

\$10 \text{mln}

754 mm \times \\ 146 mm \times \\ 300 mm

\$2-5 \text{Mln}

\$4-11 \text{Mln}

10-20W

\text{(deployment)}

5-7 kg

\sim 10W

\sim \$ 1 \text{mln}

\sim0.02m^3

\sim 1 kg

\sim 3W

\sim \$1\text{mln}^*

60 mm\times \\60mm \times \\32 mm

1U (100 mm\times \\100 mm \times \\100 mm)

1.2 kg

100W

\sim \$100\text{k}

3U (300 mm\times \\300 mm \times \\300 mm)

100W

3 kg

\sim \$1\text{mln}^*

\sim 4W

12 mm \times \\12 mm

\sim \$1\text{mln}^*

Pathfinder

Pathfinder SWaPC

Size

Weight

Power

Cost

\sim 2.5m

\sim 25-50kg

22 kg

300W

400mW @15^{\circ}K

\$10 \text{mln}

754 mm \times \\ 146 mm \times \\ 300 mm

\$2-5 \text{Mln}

\$4-11 \text{Mln}

10-20W

\text{(deployment)}

5-7 kg

\sim 10W

\sim \$ 1 \text{mln}

\sim0.02m^3

\sim 1 kg

\sim 3W

\sim \$1\text{mln}^*

60 mm\times \\60mm \times \\32 mm

1U (100 mm\times \\100 mm \times \\100 mm)

1.2 kg

100W\\\text{generated}

\sim \$100\text{k}

3U (300 mm\times \\300 mm \times \\300 mm)

100W

3 kg

\sim \$1\text{mln}^*

\sim 4W

\sim 1 kg^*

12 mm \times \\12 mm

\sim \$1\text{mln}^*

\sim85.3 kg

\sim 437 W

\sim \$25\text{ million}

N/A

Pathfinder

Antenna

Pathfinder

Receiver

Pathfinder

Cryocooler

Pathfinder

Cryocooler

HiPTC Heat Intercepted Pulse Tube Cooler

Cost: $10 Million
Mass: 22kg
Cooling power
- 400 mW at 15K
- 5.2 W at 100K
Electric power: 300 W

Pathfinder

Solar Panels

Pathfinder

Ultra-Stable Oscillator

Pathfinder

Ultra-Stable Oscillator

\Delta \phi = 2\pi \cdot f \cdot \sigma_t

\sigma_t = \sigma_f \cdot \Delta t

Phase Error

Pathfinder

Ultra-Stable Oscillator

\sigma_f = 5\cdot 10^{-11}, f_{obs}=86 \text{ GHz}

\Delta t = 1s:

\sigma_t = 5\cdot 10^{-11} \cdot 1s = 5\cdot 10^{-11} s

\Delta \phi = 2\pi \cdot (86\cdot 10^9 \text{ Hz}) \cdot 5\cdot 10^{-11} s=27.01 \text{ rad}

\Delta t = 10s:

\sigma_t = 5\cdot 10^{-11} \cdot 10s = 50\cdot 10^{-11} s

\Delta \phi = 2\pi \cdot (86\cdot 10^9 \text{ Hz}) \cdot 50\cdot 10^{-11} s=270.01 \text{ rad}

\Delta \phi<1 \text{ rad for Phase Coherence}

Pathfinder

Ultra-Stable Oscillator

Allan Deviation

f=86 \text{ GHz}, t=10s, \sigma_y = 5\cdot 10^{-11}

L = 1-\exp\left[-2\pi^{2}(86\cdot 10^9)^{2}(10)^{2}(5\cdot 10^{-11})^{2}\right]

ABRACON SMD OCXO

L = 1-\exp\left(-2\pi^{2}f^{2}t^{2}\sigma_y^{2}\right)

L\sim 1\%<10\% \text{ required for Phase Coherence}

Pathfinder

Digital Backend

Pathfinder

Original Analog Radio Signal

Pathfinder

Sample the Signal every Unit Interval

f_s\geq 2f

Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem

Pathfinder

Retain only the samples and record the sign of the voltage for each sample

Pathfinder

Reconstruct the original signal

Pathfinder

🎯 Introduction
🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
📡 BHEX Mini Operational Roles
🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
💰Funding Deadlines
🤝 The Request

Pathfinder

Email BHEX Team

Jan 2025

Pathfinder

Email BHEX Team

Jan 2025

Pathfinder

Email BHEX Team

Jan 2025

Pathfinder

Email BHEX Team

Jan 2025

Feb 2025

Literature Review

Pathfinder

Email BHEX Team

Jan 2025

Feb 2025

Mar 2025

Literature Review

Advised on BHEX Mini by Prof. Rick Fleeter
Submit to Rhode Island Space Grant

Rick Fleeter

Pathfinder

Email BHEX Team

Jan 2025

Feb 2025

Mar 2025

Literature Review

Apr 2025

Ivy Space Conference
Ben Hudson (BHEX, KISPE)
Luke Anderson (Orion Space Systems)

Ben Hudson

Luke Anderson

Advised on BHEX Mini by Prof. Rick Fleeter
Submit to Rhode Island Space Grant

Pathfinder

Email BHEX Team

Jan 2025

Feb 2025

Mar 2025

Literature Review

Apr 2025

May 2025

Ivy Space Conference
Ben Hudson (BHEX, KISPE)
Luke Anderson (Orion Space Systems)

Trained ~6 undergraduates to run simulations on BHEX Mini
Jeffrey Olson (Cryocooler Engineer, Lockheed Martin

Jeffrey Olson

Advised on BHEX Mini by Prof. Rick Fleeter
Submit to Rhode Island Space Grant

Pathfinder

Jun 2025

Jul 2025

Completed Antenna SWaPC Requirements
Obtained Preliminary Grant Funding from Nelson Center
Began correspondence with NASA JPL on Ultrastable Oscillators

Constrained BHEX Mini SWaPC Requirements
Approved by Brown Division of Research as PI for BHEX Mini
Submitted to NASA NIAC Phase I Solicitation
Accepted to SmallSat Europe 2026

Todd Ely

Joseph Lazio

Eric Burt

Email BHEX Team

Jan 2025

Feb 2025

Mar 2025

Literature Review

Apr 2025

May 2025

Jun 2025

Jul 2025

Ivy Space Conference
Ben Hudson (BHEX, KISPE)
Luke Anderson (Orion Space Systems)

Trained ~6 undergraduates to run simulations on BHEX Mini
Jeffrey Olson (Cryocooler Engineer, Lockheed Martin)
Rejected from RISG

Completed Antenna SWaPC Requirements
Obtained Preliminary Grant Funding from Nelson Center
Began correspondence with NASA JPL on Space-Space VLBI

Constrained BHEX Mini SWaPC Requirements
Approved by Brown Division of Research as PI for BHEX Mini
Submitted to NASA NIAC Phase I Solicitation
Accepted to SmallSat Europe 2026

Advised on BHEX Mini by Prof. Rick Fleeter
Submit to Rhode Island Space Grant

Feb 2025

Mar 2025

Literature Review

Apr 2025

May 2025

Jun 2025

Jul 2025

Ivy Space Conference
Ben Hudson (BHEX, KISPE)
Luke Anderson (Orion Space Systems)

Trained ~6 undergraduates to run simulations on BHEX Mini
Jeffrey Olson (Cryocooler Engineer, Lockheed Martin)
Rejected from RISG

Completed Antenna SWaPC Requirements
Obtained Preliminary Grant Funding from Nelson Center
Began correspondence with NASA JPL on Space-Space VLBI
Rejected from International Astronautical Congress

Constrained BHEX Mini SWaPC Requirements
Approved by Brown Division of Research as PI for BHEX Mini
Submitted to NASA NIAC Phase I Solicitation
Accepted to SmallSat Europe 2026

Advised on BHEX Mini by Prof. Rick Fleeter
Submit to Rhode Island Space Grant

Meeting with MIT Lincoln Labs (8/15)
Colloquium at Princeton IAS (9/04)
Michael Johnson Colloquium at Brown (PI, BHEX) (9/22)
Assemble Science/Engineering Leadership Team for NASA / CSA

Aug 2025

Science

Leadership

Engineering

Leadership

BHEX Mini

Team

Advisors

Inner

circle

BHEX Mini

Science

Leadership

Inner

circle

BHEX Mini

Engineering

Leadership

Advisors

BHEX Mini

Team

Inner

circle

BHEX Mini

Science

Leadership

Engineering

Leadership

Advisors

BHEX Mini

Team

Engineering

Leadership

Inner

circle

BHEX Mini

Science

Leadership

Advisors

BHEX Mini

Team

Inner

circle

BHEX Mini

Science

Leadership

Engineering

Leadership

Advisors

BHEX Mini

Team

Advisors

Inner

circle

BHEX Mini

Science

Leadership

Engineering

Leadership

BHEX Mini

Team

Inner

circle

BHEX Mini

Science

Leadership

Engineering

Leadership

Advisors

BHEX Mini

Team

BHEX Mini

Inner

circle

Science

Leadership

Engineering

Leadership

Advisors

Inner

circle

BHEX Mini

Science

Leadership

Engineering

Leadership

Advisors

BHEX Mini

Team

🕒 Prospective Timeline

June

July

August

September

🕒 Prospective Timeline

June

July

August

September

NASA NIAC 2025 Phase I Step I
SpaceCom Conference 2026
Brown Nelson + Hazeltine Grants

Antenna Focus
- Nacer Chahat
- Emmanuel Decrossas

🕒 Prospective Timeline

June

July

August

September

NSF Foundational Research in Robotics Grant (FRR)
Fall Walls Foundation Selections

NASA NIAC 2025 Phase I Step I
SpaceCom Conference 2026
Brown Nelson + Hazeltine Grants

Antenna Focus
- Nacer Chahat
- Emmanuel Decrossas

Cryocooler Focus
- SunPower
- Blue Marble

🕒 Prospective Timeline

June

July

Aug

September

NSF Foundational Research in Robotics Grant (FRR)
Fall Walls Foundation Selections

Brown University Co-Lab
NASA NIAC Phase I Round I Step B Selections Announced

Solar Panel Focus
- DCubed Inc.
- DHV Tech

NASA NIAC 2025 Phase I Step I
SpaceCom Conference 2026
Brown Nelson + Hazeltine Grants

Antenna Focus
- Nacer Chahat
- Emmanuel Decrossas

Cryocooler Focus
- SunPower
- Blue Marble

🕒 Prospective Timeline

June

July

Aug

Sep

Cryocooler Focus
- SunPower
- Blue Marble

NSF Foundational Research in Robotics Grant (FRR)
Fall Walls Foundation Selections

Brown University Co-Lab
NASA NIAC Phase I Round I Step B Selections Announced

Solar Panel Focus
- DCubed Inc.
- DHV Tech

NSF Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation for the Astronomical Sciences (ATI)

Data Downlink Focus
- MIT Lincoln Labs
- ALICE/CLICK Teams

NASA NIAC 2025 Phase I Step I
SpaceCom Conference 2026
Brown Nelson + Hazeltine Grants

Antenna Focus
- Nacer Chahat
- Emmanuel Decrossas

BHEX Mini

🎯 Introduction
🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
📡 BHEX Mini Operational Roles
🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
💰Funding Deadlines
🤝 The Request

💰Funding Deadlines

June

💰Funding Deadlines

$5,000

Brown Nelson Grants
- Submitted: June 30
- Decision: Sep 15

July

💰Funding Deadlines

$5,000

$175,000

Brown Nelson Grants
- Submitted: June 30
- Decision: Sep 15

NASA NIAC Phase I
- Submitted: July 15
- Decision: Sep 6

Aug

💰Funding Deadlines

$5,000

$175,000

>$4M

Brown Nelson Grants
- Submitted: June 30
- Decision: Sep 15

NASA NIAC Phase I
- Submitted: July 15
- Decision: Sep 6

Templeton Grant
- Submitted: Aug 15
- Decision: Oct 10

Sep

💰Funding Deadlines

$5,000

$175,000

>$4M

Brown Nelson Grants
- Submitted: June 30
- Decision: Sep 15

NASA NIAC Phase I
- Submitted: July 15
- Decision: Sep 6

Templeton Grant
- Submitted: Aug 15
- Decision: Oct 10

AAS Splinter Meeting
- Submitted: Sep 25
- Decision: Oct 30

Oct

💰Funding Deadlines

$5,000

NASA NIAC Phase I
- Submitted: July 15
- Decision: Sep 6

$175,000

Brown Nelson Grants
- Submitted: June 30
- Decision: Sep 15

>$4M

Templeton Grant
- Submitted: Aug 15
- Decision: Oct 10

AAS Splinter Meeting
- Submitted: Sep 25
- Decision: Oct 30

CSA FAST Grant
- Submitted: Oct 26
- Decision: Dec 15

>$400,000

BHEX Mini

🎯 Introduction
🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
📡 BHEX Mini Operational Roles
🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
💰Funding Deadlines
🤝 The Request