The Einstein Probe mission: a lobster-eye X-ray monitor for exploring the transient X-ray sky

As an approved mission in the space science programme of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Einstein Probe (EP) is a small astronomical satellite to monitor the soft X-ray sky. EP will carry out systematic surveys of high-energy transients with unprecedented sensitivity, Grasp and monitoring cadence. Its wide-field ( 3600 sq. deg.) imaging capability is enabled by using lobster-eye MPO X-ray focusing optics. It also carries a Wolter-I X-ray telescope for deep follow-up observations of newly discovered transients. Transient alerts will be issued in nearly real time to trigger quick follow-up observations at multi-wavelengths. The scientific goals of EP are to discover and characterise the X-ray sources of new transient phenomena to be explored in the upcoming era of multi-wavelength and multi-messenger time-domain astrophysics. The mission is scheduled for launch by the end of 2022.