The CosmoCube Satellite Will Listen to the Early Universe From the Far Side of the Moon

Multiple space agencies are preparing to send missions to the Moon, with a focus on establishing a sustained human presence on the far side. The far side is "radio-quiet," meaning it is not subject to radio interference from Earth, making it an ideal location for radio astronomy research. The new CosmoCube satellite, developed at the University of Cambridge, will listen for faint signals from the early universe, specifically the 21-centimeter line emitted by hydrogen atoms from the Cosmic Dawn period. The satellite will operate at extremely low frequencies, shielding it from Earth-based radio interference. During its two-hour orbit, it will listen for echoes from the early universe for about 40 minutes. The mission aims to build up 1000 hours of data on the "final frontier" of astronomy and cosmology, helping scientists understand how the universe transitioned from dark and empty to transparent and filled with bright objects. The satellite will also explore the role of dark matter in the formation of the first galaxies.

• The satellite will operate at frequencies between 10 to 50 MHz, far outside the range of ground-based telescopes.
• The mission will last two years, with the probe collecting 1000 hours of data on the early universe.
• The satellite will use advanced Bayesian statistical analysis to remove foreground noise, such as natural radio emissions from the Milky Way.
• The satellite will deploy a long, lightweight radio antenna sensitive enough to detect the 21-centimeter signal.

The far side of the Moon offers protection from terrestrial radiation and a unique location to study radiation from the earliest moments of the universe's evolution. The mission is unique in its size, as it probes the earliest and deepest parts of the cosmic dark ages that others cannot reach. The satellite will use a state-of-the-art, fully integrated miniature radiometer, developed by SSTL with funding from the UK Space Agency. The mission is expected to launch within the next five years, with the project partners developing representative models of the satellite and its payload. The mission aims to improve our understanding of the universe's transition from the dark ages to the transparent and filled with bright objects. The mission also explores the role of dark matter in the formation of the first galaxies.

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