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Tuning into the cosmos…
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Falcon 9 Block 5 | X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE)
Falcon 9 Block 5 | X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) launched on Thu, Dec 9, 2021, 06:00 AM UTC — a SpaceX mission.
Launch SuccessfulSpaceX
Lifted offNET Dec 2021
NET Thu, Dec 9, 2021, 06:00 AM UTC
Live coverage
Watch the webcasts
3 streams available — switch between the provider’s feed, X and others.
Mission profile
The flight at a glance
Falcon 9Vehicle
SpaceXProvider
Launch Complex 39APad
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USALocation
AstrophysicsMission type
Low Earth OrbitOrbit
Flight simulation
Ascent to orbit
A representative gravity-turn climb for Falcon 9 to Low Earth Orbit. Illustrative model — not this mission’s live telemetry.
Mission timeT+0:00
Altitude0.0 km
Velocity0.00 km/s
PhaseLiftoff
T+0:00 / 8:00
SimulatedRepresentative Falcon 9 ascent profile — illustrative model, not this mission’s live telemetry.
The mission
IXPE
Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) is a space observatory tasked with measuring the polarization of cosmic X-rays. This data will help to learn more about objects that emit these X-rays, such as black holes and neutron stars.
Around this launch
Related news
No news linked to this launch yet
As coverage publishes, deduplicated articles about this mission will appear here.
Good to know
Frequently asked
What time does Falcon 9 Block 5 | X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) launch?
Falcon 9 Block 5 | X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) is scheduled to lift off Thu, Dec 9, 2021, 06:00 AM UTC.
Where can I watch Falcon 9 Block 5 | X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE)?
Watch the official live webcast embedded on this page — it goes live shortly before liftoff.
Who is launching Falcon 9 Block 5 | X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE)?
Falcon 9 Block 5 | X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) is a SpaceX mission flying on a Falcon 9.
Where does Falcon 9 Block 5 | X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) launch from?
It lifts off from Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.