Exploring Cosmic Dark Ages: UK’s CosmoCube Mission to the Moon

An international team of cosmologists, led by researchers from the University of Portsmouth, is gearing up for a groundbreaking mission aimed at uncovering the secrets of the early universe through a proposed spacecraft named CosmoCube. Scheduled for development as part of the UK Space Agency's Science Bilateral Programme, this innovative project intends to observe the cosmic 'Dark Ages' from the far side of the Moon, a region that serves as an ideal environment for detecting faint radio signals from the early cosmos.

The mission is designed to listen for an 'ancient whisper' emitted by hydrogen, the most basic and abundant element, shortly after the Big Bang. According to Dr. Eloy de Lera Acedo, head of Cavendish Radio Astronomy and Cosmology at the University of Cambridge, the far side of the Moon offers a unique advantage: it acts as a shield against the radio noise generated by Earth's atmosphere and electronic devices. "It's like trying to hear that whisper while a loud concert is playing next door," he explained during a presentation at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting in Durham.

The proposed spacecraft, CosmoCube, will utilize a precision-calibrated, low-power radio radiometer operating at frequencies between 10 and 100 MHz, specifically engineered to detect these weak signals. The mission not only aims to explore the Cosmic Dawn—a time when the universe transitioned from darkness to light—but also seeks to investigate the properties of dark matter and its role in the formation of galaxies. This period, known as the 'Dark Ages,' represents one of the last unexplored frontiers in observational cosmology.

Professor David Bacon from the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation emphasized the significance of the mission. "It's incredible how far these radio waves have travelled, now arriving with news of the universe's history," he stated. The research initiative has garnered support from notable institutions, including the University of Portsmouth, University of Cambridge, and STFC RAL Space, with a collaborative effort involving industry partners like SSTL Ltd.

The team anticipates a 4-5 year timeline leading to the launch, aiming to place CosmoCube into lunar orbit by the end of the decade. The mission's findings could potentially illuminate unresolved questions surrounding the Hubble tension, which describes the discrepancy in measurements of the universe's expansion rate.

As a recognized center of research excellence, the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation unites over 70 researchers dedicated to addressing profound cosmic mysteries, including the properties of dark energy and gravitational waves. Their contributions to major international projects like Euclid, LISA, and the LIGO gravitational wave detectors highlight the institute's pivotal role in advancing our understanding of the universe.

In conclusion, the CosmoCube mission represents a significant step toward unlocking the mysteries of the early universe and understanding fundamental cosmic structures. As researchers prepare for the launch, the implications of their work could reshape our comprehension of cosmic evolution and the forces that govern it.