SpaceX wins a contract from NASA to launch Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer or IXPE that will help the researcher and scientists to study polarized light from sources like pulsar wind nebulae and supermassive black holes for more intricate observations.
As per NASA, it has collaborated with Space X to launch Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) mission on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A in Florida. The launch will cost around $50.3 million taking place on April 2021.
SpaceX is honored that NASA wants to place its trust in our proven launch vehicles in order to deliver important science payloads to orbit, IXPE will serve as SpaceX’s sixth contracted mission under NASA’s LSP, two of which has been successfully launched in 2016 and 2018, increasing the agency’s scientific observational capabilities – Gwynne Shotwell, president and COO, SpaceX
In January 2017 NASA selected IXPE as a part of its astrophysics mission to study the polarization of X-rays from a variety of sources. Science mission in astrophysics had been the primary customers of the Pegasus XL with NASA’s decision to launch IXPE on the Falcon 9.
As per sources, this is just one of the upcoming launches that have been contracted with SpaceX by NASA. So hopefully we can expect many other upcoming launches to happen.
