 International X-ray Observatory | |
| Names | IXO |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Space telescope |
| Operator | NASA / ESA / JAXA |
| Website | https://ixo.gsfc.nasa.gov/ |
| Mission duration | 5 years (planned) 10 years (possible) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Launch mass | 4,375 kg (9,645 lb) |
| Power | 3.7 kW |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2021 (cancelled) |
| Rocket | Atlas V or Ariane V |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral or Centre Spatial Guyanais |
| Contractor | United Launch Alliance or Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | L2 point |
| Regime | 800 km |
| Main telescope | |
| Type | X-ray |
| Focal length | 20 metres |
| Instruments | |
| Hard X-ray Imager (HXI) High Timing Resolution Spectrometer (HTRS) X-ray Grating Spectrometer (XGS) X-ray Microcalomiter Spectrometer (XMS) X-ray Polarimeter (XPOL) | |
The International X-ray Observatory (IXO) is a cancelled X-ray telescope that was to be launched in 2021 as a joint effort by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). In May 2008, ESA and NASA established a coordination group involving all three agencies, with the intent of exploring a joint mission merging the ongoing XEUS and Constellation-X Observatory (Con-X) projects. This proposed the start of a joint study for IXO.[1][2][3][4][5] NASA was forced to cancel the observatory due to budget constraints in fiscal year 2012. ESA however decided to reboot the mission on its own developing Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics as a part of Cosmic Vision program.[5][6]
- ^ "Announcing: The International X-ray Observatory (IXO)". ixo.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA. 24 July 2008. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Announcing the International X-ray Observatory (IXO)". sci.esa.int. ESA. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- ^ "The International X-ray Observatory Activity submission in response to the Astro2010 Program Prioritization Panel RFI" (PDF). NASA. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "ESA Science & Technology: Documents". ESA. 12 December 2012. Archived from the original on 12 December 2012.
- ^ a b "IXO". ixo.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA. 12 May 2011. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "ESA Science & Technology: Athena to study the hot and energetic Universe". ESA. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
