DARIS, a low-frequency distributed aperture array for radio astronomy in space

DARIS (Distributed Aperture Array for Radio Astronomy in Space) is a radio astronomy space mission concept aimed at observing the low-frequency radio sky in the range 1-10 MHz. Because of the Earth's ionospheric disturbances and opaqueness, this frequency range can only be observed from space. The astronomical science cases include sensitive extragalactic surveys, radio transients such as Jupiter-like burst and Crab-like pulses, and coronal mass ejection tracking. The focus of the DARIS concept study is on feasibility aspects of a distributed aperture synthesis array in space, consisting of small satellite nodes and a mother-ship. The study selected suitable science cases, antenna concepts, communications, signal processing, orbital design, and mission analysis. With current-day technologies a satellite cluster can be built consisting of at least eight satellite nodes and a mother-ship, which could be launched with a Soyuz rocket from Kourou. Such a satellite cluster would open up the last unexplored frequency range for astronomy.