Discover how a credit-card-sized computer from RRI, Bengaluru, is aiding India’s PRATUSH mission to detect ancient hydrogen signals from the Cosmic Dawn in lunar orbit.
Overview
A compact single-board computer (SBC), developed by Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru, is set to revolutionize India’s search for ancient cosmic signals. This breakthrough technology will support the PRATUSH mission, aiming to detect faint radio signals from the early universe.
What Is PRATUSH?
PRATUSH (Probing ReionizATion of the Universe using Signal from Hydrogen) is a proposed lunar radiometer mission focusing on studying the 21-cm hydrogen signal emitted by neutral hydrogen atoms during the early universe. This mission seeks to provide observational evidence of the Cosmic Dawn, a crucial era in the universe’s history.
Why the Moon?
- The Moon offers a radio-quiet environment, ideal for capturing weak signals.
- Earth’s heavy radio interference, including FM transmissions and ionospheric distortions, hinders the detection of the hydrogen signal.
The Role of the Single-Board Computer
- The SBC coordinates various components, records and processes radio data, and ensures system calibration.
- It is lightweight, efficient, and crucial for lunar space missions.
Promising Test Results
- Over 352 hours of testing, the system demonstrated noise reduction to millikelvin levels and high sensitivity to weak signals.
- It maintained stable performance during continuous operation, proving its space-based radiometry capabilities.
Future Potential and Next Steps
- The RRI team plans to upgrade to space-qualified SBCs and enhance software for AI-enabled processing.
- Integration into a compact lunar payload is on the agenda, with expectations of providing insights into the formation of cosmic structures and early universe evolution.
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
- PRATUSH mission aims to study the 21-cm hydrogen signal from the early universe.
- The Moon’s radio-quiet environment is crucial for capturing weak cosmic signals.
- The SBC developed by RRI is a compact yet powerful tool for space-based radiometry.
- If successful, PRATUSH could offer valuable insights into the early universe’s evolution and cosmic structure formation.
