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Spoke 4 activities overview
Spoke 4 - Next generation detectors of ionizing radiation and fields for remote sensing
Spoke 4 brings together Italian research institutions and industries to advance a new generation of detection and timing technologies for space missions. The activities focus on solid-state radiation sensors, photodetectors, gravitational reference systems, emerging instruments for space-weather monitoring, and innovative time–frequency references for deep-space exploration. All developments address the stringent mass, power, and environmental constraints typical of space applications.
A first area of work is dedicated to silicon-based particle detectors, where the Spoke is building a national supply chain capable of designing and producing high-granularity, low-power tracking sensors based on commercial semiconductor technologies. These devices combine advanced architectures, such as monolithic active pixel sensors and low-gain avalanche diodes, with custom readout and data-acquisition electronics.
Alongside fabrication, the Spoke defines qualification strategies and carries out calibration and verification campaigns to assess performance and technology readiness.
A second line of activity focuses on SiPM-based detectors for ionizing radiation, used in applications ranging from terrestrial gamma-ray flashes to space-weather phenomena. The work includes optimizing sensor configurations, developing low-noise and rad-hard electronics, integrating prototypes, and performing comprehensive tests to evaluate their suitability for future missions.
Spoke 4 also develops a gravitational reference system for highly precise inter-satellite geodesy. The effort spans across requirement analysis, system design, hardware procurement, and the testing of a prototype comprising the test mass and its electrode housing, with the goal of enabling more accurate monitoring of Earth’s water-mass distribution.
Another research direction addresses emerging technologies for observing Sun–Earth interaction phenomena, including innovative sensors for energetic neutral atoms, hard X-ray polarimetry, and plasma monitoring. The Spoke develops compact prototypes and assesses their performance with the aim of increasing technology readiness for space-weather monitoring missions.
Finally, the Spoke works on next-generation time and frequency references, developing microfabricated clock components based on optical frequency standards. These systems are designed to reduce size, weight, and power while improving synchronization capabilities for multi-detector observations and deep-space navigation.
Research activities Details
Publications
2025
Journal publications:
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Conference publications:
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2025
Journal publications:
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Conference publications:
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Spoke 4 - Next generation detectors of ionizing radiation and fields for remote sensing
Spoke 4 brings together Italian research institutions and industries to advance a new generation of detection and timing technologies for space missions. The activities focus on solid-state radiation sensors, photodetectors, gravitational reference systems, emerging instruments for space-weather monitoring, and innovative time–frequency references for deep-space exploration.
All developments address the stringent mass, power, and environmental constraints typical of space applications.
A first area of work is dedicated to silicon-based particle detectors, where the Spoke is building a national supply chain capable of designing and producing high-granularity, low-power tracking sensors based on commercial semiconductor technologies. These devices combine advanced architectures, such as monolithic active pixel sensors and low-gain avalanche diodes, with custom readout and data-acquisition electronics.
Alongside fabrication, the Spoke defines qualification strategies and carries out calibration and verification campaigns to assess performance and technology readiness.
A second line of activity focuses on SiPM-based detectors for ionizing radiation, used in applications ranging from terrestrial gamma-ray flashes to space-weather phenomena. The work includes optimizing sensor configurations, developing low-noise and rad-hard electronics, integrating prototypes, and performing comprehensive tests to evaluate their suitability for future missions.
Spoke 4 also develops a gravitational reference system for highly precise inter-satellite geodesy. The effort spans requirement analysis, system design, hardware procurement, and the testing of a prototype comprising the test mass and its electrode housing, with the goal of enabling more accurate monitoring of Earth’s water-mass distribution.
Another research direction addresses emerging technologies for observing Sun–Earth interaction phenomena, including innovative sensors for energetic neutral atoms, hard X-ray polarimetry, and plasma monitoring. The Spoke develops compact prototypes and assesses their performance with the aim of increasing technology readiness for space-weather monitoring missions.
Finally, the Spoke works on next-generation time and frequency references, developing microfabricated clock components based on optical frequency standards. These systems are designed to reduce size, weight, and power while improving synchronization capabilities for multi detector observations and deep space navigation.