Speaker
Description
The time-domain X-ray space mission Einstein Probe (EP) was launched on January 9, 2024. Since then, EP had been undergoing extensive in-orbit tests and calibration until July 2024. EP is aimed for the detection of cosmic high-energy transients in soft X-rays and quick X-ray follow-up characterization. For this, there are two instruments onboard: a wide-field X-ray telescope (WXT) for transient search and a follow-up X-ray telescope (FXT) for follow-ups and precise source localization. EP makes use of the X-band communication route for the science and house-keeping data telemetry, which are received by the ground stations provided by the CAS and ESA. The T&C is achieved by the S-band link. As soon as a transient is detected onboard, an alert message containing the basic information of the sources will be downlinked quickly to the EP science center (EPSC) via the Chinese Beidou system and the VHF system provided by CNES. Quick follow-up or ToO observations can be performed once a fast transient is detected, either on board (automated follow-up) or on ground and by uplink command (via the Beidou system). The information of transients is issued publicly to the global community to trigger more follow-up observations. The data flow and science operations of EP are thus complicated, involving two-way information/data exchanges between space and ground. Here we present the scientific operations scheme of EP, particularly on the space-ground data and information flow. The functions of EPSC will also be briefly introduced.
