Assembly of the IXPE mirror modules
Stephen D. Bongiorno, Jeffery J. Kolodziejczak, Kiranmayee Kilaru, Ron Eng, Mark T. Stahl, W. H. Baumgartner, Nicholas E. Thomas, Jaganathan Ranganathan, Brian D. Ramsey, John M. Tucker
Abstract
Expected to launch in Fall 2021, the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) is a NASA Astrophysics Small Explorer Mission with significant contributions from the Italian space agency (ASI). Three identical x-ray telescopes combine to form the IXPE observatory. Each is comprised of a 4-m-focal length mirror module assembly (MMA, provided by NASA MSFC) that focuses x-rays onto a polarization-sensitive, imaging detector (contributed by ASI-funded institutions). This paper describes the now-completed assembly process for the 3 flight mirror modules and spare, and compares as-tested calibrated performance with as-built metrology data. Unexpected challenges and lessons-learned are also discussed.