SVOM (Space-based multiband Variable Object Monitor) is a Chinese-French space mission mainly designed to study Gamma-Ray Bursts. The satellite has four instruments to detect and localize the prompt GRB emission and measure the evolution of the afterglow in the visible band and in soft X-rays, and a VHF communication system enabling the fast transmission of SVOM alerts to the ground. The ground segment includes an array of wide-angle cameras and two follow-up telescopes, and collaborates with global telescopes.
SVOM was launched into an orbit of ~635km in June 22, 2024 at Xichang, with three years of nominal operations and an extension of two years. The technical status of the satellite in orbit is matched with the scientific requirements. More than 90 GRBs have been detected so far.
BIO
WEI Jianyan, full research professor at National Astronomical Observatories, CAS (NAOC). He is the Principal Investigator of SVOM Mission. He got a BS degree of astrophysics in Peking University in 1987, and a PhD degree in Beijing Astronomical Observatory in 1994. His main research topics include Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), Gamma-Ray Bursts ( GRBs ), and astronomical instruments. SVOM mission was proposed by him together with Shuangnan ZHANG and Jingyao HU around 2001, merged with Eclairs mission in 2007, funded jointly by CNSA, CNES and CAS in 2014, and launched in June 22, 2024.
Host: Wei Cui
