CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.,
Dec. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's
Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer spacecraft built by Ball
Aerospace successfully launched today aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9
rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space
Center in Florida. After
reaching its final orbital position, the small explorer will begin
its mission of observing polarized X-rays from extreme objects,
such as neutron stars, stellar and super massive black holes.
"IXPE is going to provide unprecedented insight into how the
universe works," said Dr. Makenzie
Lystrup, vice president and general manager, Ball Aerospace.
"By measuring X-ray polarization with spatial, spectral and
temporal resolution, we will gain a far better understanding of the
geometry of extreme magnetic fields over a wide range of spatial
scales, from the polar jets of Active Galactic Nuclei, to the
near-surface of extremely magnetic neutron stars called
magnetars."
As part of the NASA Astrophysics Explorers Program, the mission
addresses NASA's science goal "to probe the origin and destiny of
our universe, including the nature of black holes, dark energy,
dark matter, and gravity." It is led by principal investigator Dr.
Martin C. Weisskopf at NASA's
Marshall Space Flight Center, with support from Ball Aerospace, the
Italian Space Agency (ASI), Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space
Physics (LASP) at University of Colorado
Boulder and other partners.
In addition to the mechanical and structural elements of the
payload and observatory assembly, Ball Aerospace provided the IXPE
spacecraft and conducted integration and testing. The spacecraft is
based on the smallest Ball Configurable Platform (BCP) model. The
BCP has a broad spectrum of capabilities, is highly reliable with
proven stability and pointing performance, which are essential for
astrophysics missions, such as IXPE.
As part of Ball Aerospace's commitment to sustainability, a
similar BCP was developed for NASA's technology demonstration Green
Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) and is currently in the design
phase for the BCP spacecraft for NASA's Spectro-Photometer for the
History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer
(SPHEREx).
Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission
focus, Ball Aerospace pioneers discoveries that enable our
customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters
most. We create innovative space solutions, enable more accurate
weather forecasts, drive insightful observations of our planet,
deliver actionable data and intelligence, and ensure those who
defend our freedom go forward bravely and return home safely. Go
Beyond with Ball.® For more information, visit
www.ball.com/aerospace or connect with us on Facebook or
Twitter.
About Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL)
supplies innovative, sustainable aluminum packaging solutions for
beverage, personal care and household products customers, as well
as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the
U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ
21,500 people worldwide and reported 2020 net sales of $11.8 billion. For more information, visit
www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.
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at www.sec.gov. Additional factors that might affect: a) our
packaging segments include product capacity, supply, and demand
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competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate
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including policies, orders, and actions related to COVID-19;
reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and
successful or unsuccessful joint ventures, acquisitions and
divestitures, and their effects on our operating results and
business generally.
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