PRATUSH Radiometer
Recent advances in space technology have led to the development of PRATUSH, a pioneering radiometer designed to explore the Cosmic Dawn—the epoch when the first stars and galaxies emerged. This compact system, based on a single-board computer (SBC) roughly the size of a credit card, aims to detect faint radio signals from hydrogen atoms in lunar orbit. PRATUSH promises to deepen our understanding of the Universe’s earliest phase by capturing signals that are otherwise obscured by terrestrial noise.
About the Cosmic Dawn
The Cosmic Dawn marks the period when the first stars lit up the Universe. It fundamentally changed cosmic evolution by initiating the reionisation of hydrogen gas. Studying this era helps scientists trace the formation of the first cosmic structures. However, direct observations are scarce due to the extreme faintness of signals and interference from Earth-based radio noise.
Role and Design of PRATUSH
PRATUSH is a future space payload designed to orbit the Moon, specifically its far side, which offers a radio-quiet environment free from Earth’s interference and ionospheric distortions. The instrument detects the 21-cm hydrogen line signal, a faint radio emission that carries information about the early Universe. It uses a radiometer system integrating an antenna, an analog receiver, and a digital receiver controlled by an SBC.
Master Controller
At the heart of PRATUSH’s digital receiver is a compact SBC, similar to a Raspberry Pi, acting as the master controller. It coordinates the antenna and the field programmable gate array (FPGA) chip that processes cosmic radio data. The SBC records, stores, and calibrates high-speed data streams, ensuring smooth operation and data integrity. In flight models, the commercial SBC will be replaced by a space-qualified equivalent.
Technical Innovations
The system’s minimalist design reduces size, weight, and power consumption—critical for space missions. Laboratory tests of the radiometer demonstrated extremely low noise levels, down to a few millikelvins, confirming its sensitivity to the faint Cosmic Dawn signal. Enhanced software and next-generation hardware promise improved performance for future missions.
Significance
PRATUSH exemplifies the trend of using low-mass, high-efficiency payloads in space science. Its successful operation could unlock secrets about how the first stars shaped the Universe and might even reveal new physics. The project marks how small, efficient computing technology can enable groundbreaking cosmic observations from the quietest locations in the inner Solar System.
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