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36.295 US KRUCKER/UNIV OF CA @ BERKELEY
Focusing Optics X-ray Solar Imager (FOXSI)
- Mission
- Vehicle
- Launch
- Photos
36.295 US Terrier-Black Brant was launched from White Sands Missile Range, NM on December 11, 2014. The FOXSI instruments test the fabrication and function of focusing optics for solar high energy x-ray observations in the 4-15 keV energy range. FOXSI observed the non-flaring “quiet” Sun and searched for non-thermal x-rays in these regions. These seven detectors are a pathfinder for future observatories investigating particle acceleration on the Sun.
The Principal Investigator was Dr. Sam Krucker/University of California-Berkeley.
Links:
http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/nasa-funded-foxsi-to-observe-x-rays-from-sun/
![Drawing of a Terrier-Black Brant sounding rocket](../images/vehicles/Terrier-Black-Brant-sm.png)
The Black Brant 9 is a two stage sounding rocket with a Terrier first stage and Black Brant second stage. The Black Brant 9 can reach altitudes of about 600 km. Payloads weighing from 400 to 1200 pounds can be flown.
![Google Earth Map showing White Sands Missile Range.](../images/WSMR.jpg)
The FOXSI mission was launched from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico on December 11, 2014.