A proposed NASA SmallSat could measure soft X-ray polarization across 0.2-0.4 keV with enough sensitivity to test neutron star and black hole physics.
Design and testing progress towards the first flight of the rocket experiment demonstration of a Soft X-ray Polarimeter (REDSoX)
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abstract
The Rocket Experiment Demonstration of a Soft X-ray Polarimeter (REDSoX) is a NASA-funded, sounding rocket mission. The rocket payload will measure polarization strength and direction as a function of energy in the 0.2-0.4 keV band, providing complementary measurements to those made by IXPE in the 2-8 keV band. The first flight, scheduled for 2028, will provide a technology demonstration of our polarimeter concept, which utilizes an aligned system of a focusing optic, Critical-Angle Transmission (CAT) gratings, Laterally Graded Multilayer (LGML) mirrors, and Charge Coupled Device (CCD) detectors to measure polarization. We will describe the design of the instrument post-critical design review, the status of flight hardware testing, and payload assembly.
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A new NASA Pioneer: the Globe Orbiting Soft X-ray Polarimeter (GOSoX)
A proposed NASA SmallSat could measure soft X-ray polarization across 0.2-0.4 keV with enough sensitivity to test neutron star and black hole physics.