(NASA)
The Falcon 9 launch vehicle launched a new IXPE X-ray Observatory, which will measure the polarization of radiation from objects in our galaxy and beyond for two years.
This will help to understand the properties of different types of neutron stars, supernova remnants and active galactic nuclei.
The development of the IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer) project was carried out as part of the NASA SMEX program, its total cost was $ 214 million.
This small-class space observatory is designed to measure the polarization of X-rays from a wide variety of astrophysical objects: pulsars, magnetars, plerions, binary systems with black holes, active galactic nuclei, quasars and supernova remnants.
It is expected that this will help to understand the nature and properties of such objects.
The total mass of the observatory is 325 kilograms, it is equipped with three telescopes installed on a retractable truss and operating in the photon energy range of 2-8 keV. The device is powered by a solar battery.
IXPE will operate in an almost equatorial circular orbit, at an altitude of 555-620 kilometers.
The IXPE was launched on December 9, 2021 from the LC-39A launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center, and the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the observatory into space.
At the present time, the device has already reached a working orbit, has opened a solar battery and is in communication with the Earth.
It is expected that the commissioning period will take a month, and the primary science program is designed for two years, with possible renewal.
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