Micro-X combines a high-energy-resolution X-ray microcalorimeter with an imaging mirror to obtain the first imaging X-ray microcalorimeter spectra from an astronomical source. As a photon is absorbed in a microcalorimeter and its energy converted to heat, the resulting temperature rise can be measured by the resistance change of a Transition Edge Sensor (TES). These microcalorimeters need to be cooled to temperatures of about a hundredth of a degree above absolute zero to function properly.

This was the second flight of the Micro-X payload.

The Principal Investigator is Professor Enectali Figueroa/Northwestern University.