Gamma-ray burst studies with wide-field X-ray detectors on a SmallSat platform

Abstract

The study of gamma-ray burst (GRB) jets has focused predominantly on the gamma-ray portion of the spectral energy distribution (SED) to understand jet properties and their physics. Recent theoretical development has turned to the lower-energy side of the SED to test competing jet models. We considered the application of wide-field X-ray detectors to extend the observation of the SED and for better distinguishing spectral models, aimed at resolving theoretical features existing at or below the sensitivity of missions such as Fermi and Swift. A proposed SmallSat reference mission is introduced, and analysis is conducted on simulated GRBs to determine its improvement in understanding the SED compared with the Fermi-gamma-ray burst monitor (GBM). Detection rates of the reference mission are simulated using a GRB population model and convolved with the energy flux needed to resolve models to find estimated rates of GRBs that the reference mission can resolve better than Fermi-GBM. We discuss the methods and results along with the scientific context for this type of mission.