Nichols Martin
Ball Aerospace has helped NASA complete the preliminary design review of a space-based astrophysics observatory designed to measure cosmic X-ray polarization.
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center collaborated with Ball, the Italian space agency and other industry partners on the Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer PDR effort at a facility in Boulder, Colo., the company said Wednesday.
IXPE is scheduled for 2021 launch and will work to study the fundamental physics behind the universe’s extreme and exotic components.
Ball will build the spacecraft, payload components and observatory assembly, as well as lead the integration, test and mission activities.
The company noted it will also equip IXPE with the Ball Configurable Platform satellite bus that is built to support astrophysical missions.
