Satellites

Space Telescope

IXPE

OperationalSpace TelescopeLEO

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.

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Launch

Launch date
December 9, 2021 at 06:00 AM UTC
Launch site
Cape Canaveral SFS, USA
Operator
SpaceX
Mission
IXPE

Orbit

Orbit regime
LEO
Apoapsis
541 km
Periapsis
530 km
Inclination
0.23°
Orbital period
95.35 min

Spacecraft

Operator
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Manufacturer
Ball Aerospace
Users
Government
Launch mass
330 kg

Identity

COSPAR (Int'l)
2021-121A
NORAD catalog №
49954
Object type
Payload
Owner / operator
United StatesUnited States
Status
Operational

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