• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.102-102
• /
• 2014

The NISS (Near-infrared Imaging Spectrometer for Star formation history) onboard NEXTSat-1 is the near-infrared instrument onboard NEXTSat-1 which is being developed by KASI. The main scientific targets are nearby galaxies, galaxy clusters, star-forming regions and low background regions in order to study the cosmic star formation history in local and distant universe. After the Preliminary Design Review, we have fixed major specifications of the NISS. The off-axis optical design with 15cm apertureis optimized to obtain a wide field of view ($2deg.{\times}2deg.$), while minimizing the sensitivity loss. The opto-mechanical structure of the NISS was designed to be safe enough to endure in the launching condition as well as the space environment. The tolerance analysis was performed to cover the wide wavelength range from 0.95 to $3.8{\mu}m$ and to reduce the degradation of optical performance due to thermal variation at the target temperature, 200K. The $1k{\times}1k$ infrared sensor is operated in the dewar at 80K stage. We confirmed that the NISS can be cooled down to below 200K in the nominal orbit through a radiative cooling. Here, we report the preliminary design of the NISS.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.64.3-65
• /
• 2016

The NISS (Near-infrared Imaging Spectrometer for Star formation history) is the near-infrared instrument optimized to the Next Generation of small satellite series (NEXTSat). The capability of both imaging and low spectral resolution spectroscopy in the near-infrared range is a unique function of the NISS. The major scientific mission is to study the cosmic star formation history in local and distant universe. For those purposes, the main observational targets are nearby galaxies, galaxy clusters, star-forming regions and low background regions. The off-axis optical design is optimized to have a wide field of view ($2deg.{\times}2deg.$) as well as the wide wavelength range from 0.95 to $3.8{\mu}m$. Two linear variable filters are used to realize the imaging spectroscopy with the spectral resolution of ~20. The mechanical structure is considered to endure the launching condition as well as the space environment. The compact dewar is confirmed to operate the infrared detector as well as filters at 80K stage. The electronics is tested to obtain and process the signal from infrared sensor and to communicate with the satellite. After the test and calibration of the engineering qualification model (EQM), the flight model of the NSS is assembled and integrated into the satellite. To verify operations of the satellite in space, the space environment tests such as the vibration, shock and thermal-vacuum test were performed. Here, we report the test results of the flight model of the NISS.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.40.1-40.1
• /
• 2017

The NISS (Near-infrared Imaging Spectrometer for Star formation history) is the near-infrared spectro-photometric instrument optimized to the Next Generation of small satellite series (NEXTSat). To achieve the major scientific objectives for the study of the cosmic star formation in local and distant universe, the spectro-photometric survey covering more than 100 square degree will be performed. The main observational targets will be nearby galaxies, galaxy clusters, star-forming regions and low background regions. The off-axis optics was developed to cover a wide field of view ($2deg.{\times}2deg.$) as well as the wide wavelength range from 0.95 to $2.5{\mu}m$, which were revised based upon the recent test and evaluation of the NISS instrument. The mechanical structure were tested under the launching condition as well as the space environment. The signal processing from infrared sensor and the communication with the satellite were evaluated after the integration into the satellite. The flight model of the NSS was assembled and integrated into the satellite. To verify operations of the satellite in space, the space environment tests such as the vibration, shock and thermal-vacuum test were performed. The accurate calibration data were obtained in our test facilities. Here, we report the test results of the flight model of the NISS.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.47.1-47.1
• /
• 2018

The NISS (Near-infrared Imaging Spectrometer for Star formation history) onboard NEXTSat-1 have successfully developed by KASI. The capability of both imaging and spectroscopy is a unique function of the NISS. At first, it have realized the low-resolution spectroscopy (R~20) with a wide field of view of $2{\times}2deg$. in a wide near-infrared range from 0.95 to $2.5{\mu}m$. The major scientific mission is to study the cosmic star formation history in local and distant universe. It will also demonstrate the space technologies related to the infrared spectro-photometry in space. Now, the NISS is ready to launch in late 2018. After the launch, the NISS will be operated during 2 years. As an extension of the NISS, the SPEHREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) is the NASA MIDEX (Medium-class Explorer) mission proposed together with KASI (PI Institute: Caltech). It will perform the first all-sky infrared spectro-photometric survey to probe the origin of our Universe, to explore the origin and evolution of galaxies, and to explore whether planets around other stars could harbor life. Compared to the NISS, the SPHEREx is designed to have much more wide FoV of $3.5{\times}11.3deg$. as well as wide spectral range from 0.75 to $5.0{\mu}m$. After passing the first selection process, the SPHEREx is under the Phase-A study. The final selection will be made in the end of 2018. Here, we report the status of the NISS and SPHEREx missions.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.58.2-58.2
• /
• 2016

The NISS (Near-infrared Imaging Spectrometer for Star formation history) onboard NEXTSat-1 is the near-infrared instrument optimized to the first small satellite of NEXTSat series. The capability of both imaging and low spectral resolution spectroscopy with the Field of View of $2{\times}2deg.$ in the near-infrared range from 0.9 to $3.8{\mu}m$ is a unique function of the NISS. The major scientific mission is to study the cosmic star formation history in local and distant universe. The Flight Model of the NISS is being developed and tested. After an integration into NEXTSat-1, it will be tested under the space environment. The NISS will be launched in 2017 and it will be operated during 2 years. As an extension of the NISS, SPEHREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) is the NASA SMEX (SMall EXploration) mission proposed together with KASI (PI Institute: Caltech). It will perform an all-sky near-infrared spectral survey to probe the origin of our Universe; explore the origin and evolution of galaxies, and explore whether planets around other stars could harbor life. The SPHEREx is designed to have wider FoV of $3.5{\times}7deg.$ as well as wider spectral range from 0.7 to $4.8{\mu}m$. After passing the first selection process, SPHEREx is under the Phase-A study. The final selection will be made in the end of 2016. Here, we report the current status of the NISS and SPHEREx missions.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.225-230
• /
• 2017

The extragalactic background suggests half the energy generated by stars was reprocessed into the infrared (IR) by dust. At z~1.3, 90% of star formation is obscured by dust. To fully understand the cosmic star formation history, it is critical to investigate infrared emission. AKARI has made deep mid-IR observation using its continuous 9-band filters in the NEP field ($5.4deg^2$), using ~10% of the entire pointed observations available throughout its lifetime. However, there remain 11,000 AKARI infrared sources undetected with the previous CFHT/Megacam imaging (r ~25.9ABmag). Redshift and IR luminosity of these sources are unknown. These sources may contribute significantly to the cosmic star-formation rate density (CSFRD). For example, if they all lie at 1< z <2, the CSFRD will be twice as high at the epoch. We are carrying out deep imaging of the NEP field in 5 broad bands (g, r, i, z, and y) using Hyper Suprime-Camera (HSC), which has 1.5 deg field of view in diameter on Subaru 8m telescope. This will provide photometric redshift information, and thereby IR luminosity for the previously-undetected 11,000 faint AKARI IR sources. Combined with AKARI's mid-IR AGN/SF diagnosis, and accurate midIR luminosity measurement, this will allow a complete census of cosmic star-formation/AGN accretion history obscured by dust.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.68.1-68.1
• /
• 2013

Infrared Medium-Deep Survey is a near-infrared imaging survey geared toward understanding the formation and the evolution of quasars and galaxies at high redshift, and studying transient and time-variable objects such as gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and young stellar objects. The survey uses a multi-tier structure, with deep imaging survey of 100 $deg^2$ using UKIRT to the depth of 23 AB mag, and a shallower imaging of interesting sources using the CQUEAN camera on the 2.1m telescope at McDonald observatory. This talk will give an overview of the survey strategy, the instrument development, and science highlights. The science highlights will include the discovery of high redshift quasars, high redshift galaxy clusters, GRBs, and other interesting sources. At the end of the talk, we will also present the future prospects of our study.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.49.1-49.1
• /
• 2014

The NISS (Near-infrared Imaging Spectrometer for Star formation history) onboard NEXTSat-1 is the near-infrared instrument onboard NEXTSat-1 which is being developed by KASI. The imaging low-resolution spectroscopic observation in the near-infrared range for nearby galaxies, low background regions, star-forming regions and so on will be performed on orbit. After the System Requirement Review, the optical design is changed from on-axis to the off-axis telescope which has a wide field of view (2 deg. ${\times}$ 2 deg.) as well as the wide wavelength range from 0.95 to $3.8{\mu}m$. The mechanical structure is considered to endure the launching condition as well as the space environment. The design of relay optics is optimized to maintain the uniform optical performance in the required wavelength range. The stray light analysis is being made to evade a light outside a field of view. The dewar is designed to operate the infrared detector at 80K stage. From the thermal analysis, we confirmed that the telescope can be cooled down to around 200K in order to reduce the large amount of thermal noise. Here, we report the current status of the NISS development.