ASTRA-LEO (Advanced Spaceborne Telescope for Radiation Analysis in Low Earth Orbit) is a compact neutron, gamma-ray and charged-particle instrument being developed at CENSSS, University of Oslo, for the CENSSAT-1 CubeSat mission. It combines inorganic and plastic scintillators with custom readout electronics in two complementary detector units. ASTRA-LEO offers MSc opportunities in detector development, electronics, integration, shielding, environmental testing and experimental characterisation. The topic below is a potential direction, the scope can be adapted or combined according to students’ skills and interests, the available hardware and the evolving needs of the project.
Our immediate priority is the completion, verification and handover of the Flight Models (FMs) for spacecraft integration by May 2027. Until then, activities will primarily support flight-hardware delivery. After handover, the focus will shift to extended testing, calibration and scientific characterisation of the Engineering Qualification Model (EQM), which will remain at UiO as a ground reference. MSc work can span both phases, and students will not be solely responsible for flight-delivery milestones.
This project focuses on the design and evaluation of radiation shielding for ASTRA-LEO, aiming to reduce unwanted thermal-neutron background while improving radiation protection of the readout electronics. Possible activities include investigating both external shielding attached to the existing detector housing and internal shielding where space permits. Candidate materials include boron-carbide (B₄C) composites, aluminium–B₄C metal-matrix sheets and additional aluminium shielding around sensitive electronics. The work will explore shielding configurations that minimise neutron detection from unwanted directions while preserving the intended science-facing aperture. Practical considerations will include shielding effectiveness, mass, mechanical integration, material compatibility, outgassing and thermal requirements. Simple calculations, existing simulation models and available material data will be used to identify a practical shielding solution suitable for spaceflight.
Possible outcome: A practical shielding recommendation, preliminary CAD/integration concept and short engineering assessment that can inform a decision before FM handover.
Skills and background: CAD/mechanical design; basic radiation physics; materials and mass budgeting; Python or numerical calculations. Geant4 helpful but not essential.
Suitable student background: Mechanical engineering • Radiation physics • Materials engineering