Suggestion for New Satellite
Suggested by laurelo on: 2026-04-30 20:06
Citation: https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3065703
Verdict: Approved
Reviewed by - on: 2026-04-30 21:14
| Name | BlackCAT |
| NORAD ID | 67369 |
| Followed NORAD ID | - |
| Alternative Names | - |
| Description | BlackCAT is an X-ray coded-aperture-telescope on a 6U CubeSat platform that launched in 2026. It is designed for observations of X-ray sources and new transients in the 0.5–20 keV band. The instrument have a wide field of view (0.85 steradian) and are capable of catching gamma ray bursts from the distant universe, galactic transients, flares from blazars, and monitoring the X-ray sky. In addition to the primary high-redshift GRB science, BlackCAT will monitor known source variability and search for rare and exciting new events including gravitational-wave X-ray counterparts, magnetar flares, supernova shock breakouts, and tidal disruption events. The mission thus functions as a multi-wavelength/messenger complement to present and future facilities, while providing rapid notifications. Silicon X-ray hybrid CMOS detectors form the focal plane array. In addition to carrying out its science programs, BlackCAT also serves as a pathfinder for future economical sky monitoring networks. |
| Owner/Operator | - |
| Status |
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| Countries of Origin | |
| Website | - |
| Dashboard URL | - |
| Launch Date | Jan. 11, 2026, midnight |
| Deploy Date | Jan. 11, 2026, midnight |
| Image |  |