IXPE
Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer, commonly known as IXPE or SMEX-14, is a space observatory with three identical telescopes designed to measure the polarization of cosmic X-rays of black holes, neutron stars, and pulsars. The observatory, which was launched on 9 December 2021, is an international collaboration between NASA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). It is part of NASA's Explorers program, which designs low-cost spacecraft to study heliophysics and astrophysics.
IXPE satellite, on the top are its three identical X-ray optics elements, the sensors are on the bottom. | |
| Names | Explorer 97 IXPE SMEX-14 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | X-ray astronomy satellite |
| Operator | NASA, ASI |
| COSPAR ID | 2021-121A |
| SATCAT no. | 49954 |
| Website | ixpe asi.it/ixpe |
| Mission duration | 5 years (planned) 2 years, 1 month and 19 days (in progress) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Explorer XCVII |
| Spacecraft type | Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer |
| Bus | BCP-100 |
| Manufacturer | Ball Aerospace & Technologies OHB Italia |
| Launch mass | 330 kg (730 lb) |
| Payload mass | 170 kg (370 lb) |
| Dimensions | 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) in diameter and 5.2 m (17 ft) tall, fully extended Solar array: 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in) fully deployed |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 9 December 2021, 06:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Falcon 9, B1061.5 |
| Launch site | Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| Entered service | 10 January 2022 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 540 km (340 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 540 km (340 mi) |
| Inclination | 0.20° |
| Period | 90.00 minutes |
| Main telescope | |
| Type | Three-mirror |
| Focal length | 4 m |
| Wavelengths | X-ray |
| Transponders | |
| Band | S-band |
IXPE mission logo Explorer Program | |
The mission will study exotic astronomical objects and permit mapping of the magnetic fields of black holes, neutron stars, pulsars, supernova remnants, magnetars, quasars, and active galactic nuclei. The high-energy X-ray radiation from these objects' surrounding environment can be polarized – oscillating in a particular direction. Studying the polarization of X-rays reveals the physics of these objects and can provide insights into the high-temperature environments where they are created.