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Astrophysical Studies in the TUS and NUCLEON Space Experiments

• The TUS space experiment has been proposed to address some of the most important astrophysical and particle physics problems. It is aimed to measure the energy spectrum, composition and angular distribution of the Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECR) at E 10 ¹⁹-10 ²⁰ eV, to study the region beyond the GZK cutoff which poses the question of an alternative mechanism for their origin due to decays of supermassive particles predicted by the Grand Unification Theory, which survived after the Big Bang. Existence of such particles is beyond the Standard Model of particle physics and is of great interest to the physical community. A study from the orbit is much more effective in comparison with the ground-based detectors. The existing world statistics is assumed to be increased by a factor of 2-3 during 3 years of the global data taking. The TUS detector will make it possible to study UHECP neutrino Extensive Air Showers (EAS) from the space orbit.
  
  
• The aim of the NUCLEON Project is direct CR measurements in the energy range 10 ¹¹-10 ¹⁵ eV and the atomic charge range up to Z40 in the near-Earth space to solve mainly the "knee" problem in CR spectrum: a change of the energy spectrum slope from E ^2.7 to E ^3.0 at ~ 10 ¹⁵ eV. The CR phenomena in this energy region are investigated in terrestrial experiments by measurement of EAS parameters or in balloon or space experiments. Below ~ 10 ¹⁴ eV the spectrum and composition are known from direct observation with detectors placed in balloons and earth satellites. However, at higher energies the CR flux is smaller and more difficult for direct observation. The common view is that new experiments over wide charge and energy ranges are needed. They will help to test the existing theoretical concepts and will become a basis for further studies. Space experiments like NUCLEON have a definite preference and attract more attention. The special interest for JINR is the search for a signal of heavy particle production with M0.5 TeV, as expected for the lightest and stable SUSY or WIMP particle.

• Participation in the development of the pilot prototype of the Fresnel mirror to the small autonomous space platform.
  
  
• Software development and measurements of the pilot Fresnel mirror modules.
  
  
• Participation in production of the TUS on-line programs.
  
  
• Participation in the development of the pilot NUCLEON trigger system to the changed launcher.
  
  
• Development of the MC simulation program for the neutron response for the HERO space detector. Development of on-line data handling programs. R&D of the HERO detector prototype and beam tests at SPS CERN.
  
  
• Participation in the long-term tests of the technological prototype of the NUCLEON trigger system.
  
  

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