36.292 UH MCENTAFFER/UNIV OF IOWA
Off-plane Grating Rocket for Extended Source Spectroscopy (OGRESS)

  • Mission
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36.292 UH Terrier-Black Brant was launched from White Sands Missile Range, NM on May 2, 2015. The OGRESS instruments provided high spectral resolving power for large diffuse X-ray sources. The science target was the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant which is one of the brightest and largest soft X-ray emitters in the sky. The observation provided global plasma conditions from this object which are typified by interactions between the supernova blast wave and a precursor formed cavity wall. The payload also contains a critical NASA X-ray technology ― off-plane reflection grating arrays. Combined with parallel technology development efforts, this mission will provide a flight proving platform for future X-ray missions. The Principal Investigator is Dr. Randall McEntaffer/University of Iowa.

Drawing of a Terrier-Black Brant sounding rocket

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.

Additional sounding rocket vehicles

Google Earth Map showing White Sands Missile Range.

The OGRESS mission was launched from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico on May 2, 2015.