NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

IXPE

Launch Time
Thu Dec 09, 2021 06:00 UTC

Rocket

Falcon 9 Block 5
Image Credit: SpaceX
SpaceX
Status: Active
Price: $69.75 million
Liftoff Thrust: 7,607 kN
Payload to LEO: 22,800 kg
Payload to GTO: 8,300 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 70.0 m
Fairing Diameter: 5.2 m
Fairing Height: 13.0 m

Vehicles

Just Read the Instructions

B1061

Flight #5
102 day turnaround
108th Falcon recovery attempt
96th successful Falcon recovery
23rd consecutive successful Falcon landing and recovery

Mission Details

Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer

The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) is a space observatory with three identical telescopes designed to measure the polarization of cosmic X-rays. 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 – vibrating 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.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 320.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA

Stats

2021

128th orbital launch attempt

SpaceX

140th mission
28th mission of 2021
134th successful mission
106th consecutive successful mission

Falcon 9

132nd mission
28th mission of 2021
129th successful mission
103rd consecutive successful mission