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IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer)

Viewing Posts from December 2021

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    IXPE Unfolds its Origami Boom for Science

    A gif of IXPE deploying in space

    NASA's newest X-ray observatory – the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer, or IXPE – extended its boom successfully Dec. 15, giving IXPE the ability to see high-energy X-rays. The mission, which launched on Dec. 9, is one step closer to studying some of the most energetic and mysterious places in the universe in a new way. …

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    NASA’s IXPE Journeys to Explore the Universe

    NASA's IXPE launch from Kennedy Space Center

    NASA's Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) mission launched at 1 a.m. EST Thursday on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A joint effort with the Italian Space Agency, the IXPE observatory is NASA's first mission dedicated to measuring the polarization of X-rays from the most extreme and mysterious objects …

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    IXPE Teams Communicating with NASA Spacecraft

    We have signal acquisition, meaning teams are now communicating with NASA's Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) spacecraft, as it embarks on its two-year journey to study changes in the polarization of X-ray light through some of the universe's most extreme sources, including black holes, dead stars known as pulsars, and more. "Everything has gone smoothly; …

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    Falcon 9 Second Stage Separates from IXPE Spacecraft

    IXPE spacecraft separation

    NASA's Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) spacecraft just reached a major milestone as it successfully separated from the second stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. IXPE will now continue on its journey to study changes in the polarization of X-ray light through some of the universe's most extreme sources, including black holes, dead stars known …

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    Successful Landing for Falcon 9 First Stage

    SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket's first stage completed a perfect landing, touching down on the company's "Just Read the Directions" drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean off of the Florida coast. Coming up next will be second engine cutoff, or SECO .

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    Main Engine Cuts off, Falcon 9 First Stage Separates

    IXPE spacecraft in space

    The Falcon 9 rocket's nine Merlin engines have finished their burn for main engine cutoff (MECO), and the first stage has separated from the rocket. As the second stage continues carrying IXPE on its flight, the rocket's first stage will attempt a targeted landing on SpaceX's drone ship "Just Read the Directions." That's coming up …

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    Liftoff! IXPE Soars Into the Sky

    IXPE liftoff from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center

    3, 2, 1 … LIFTOFF! NASA's Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) spacecraft lights up the early morning Florida sky as it roars off the launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on the agency's first dedicated mission to measuring X-ray polarization. Sandra Connelly, deputy associate administrator for science at NASA Headquarters, stated during the mission's …

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    Final ‘Go’ for IXPE Launch

    NASA Launch Director Tim Dunn gives the final ‘go' for the agency's Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) launch! The Kennedy Space Center skies soon will be lit up as the Falcon 9 rocket fires up to launch the mission into space.

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    Falcon 9 Rocket on Internal Power and Ready to Launch

    Everything is looking great as NASA's Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) spacecraft, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, prepares to launch into the sky from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. We are now just about 5 minutes away from liftoff. NASA Launch Director Tim Dunn reported the rocket is on internal power and it …

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