NASA's X-ray space telescope resumes science observations after telemetry data issue

NASA's IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer) has resumed normal science operations after a short glitch, the agency said on Wednesday. The spacecraft's observations were disrupted due to an issue with telemetry data on March 23.

According to the agency, the mission team initiated a spacecraft avionics reset to address the issue, which put the X-ray telescope into a planned safe mode, following which the team began working to resume science operations, in as rapid and safe a manner as possible.

After resuming observations, IXPE is studying a new transient X-ray source, a candidate accreting black hole. The source, named Swift J1727.8–161, has recently begun producing jets of material moving at a fraction of the speed of light.

Our IXPE observatory has resumed science observations following an issue with telemetry data. The spacecraft is in good health and is now observing a new X-ray source. More:https://t.co/ITh8tfu9cW pic.twitter.com/8qOAkSNE2T

— NASA Universe (@NASAUniverse) April 4, 2024

Launched in December 2021, IXPE is a collaboration between NASA and the Italian Space Agency with partners and science collaborators in 12 countries. The telescope, which orbits Earth some 340 miles high, is designed to discover the secrets of some of the most extreme objects in the universe - the remnants of supernova explosions, powerful particle streams spit out by feeding black holes, and more.