Update on the Micro-X Sounding Rocket payload

Abstract

The Micro-X High Resolution Microcalorimeter X-ray Imaging Rocket is a sounding rocket experiment that will combine a transition-edge-sensor X-ray-microcalorimeter array with a conical imaging mirror to obtain high- spectral-resolution images of extended X-ray sources. The target for Micro-X’s first flight (slated for January 2013) is the Puppis A supernova remnant. The Micro-X observation of the bright eastern knot of Puppis A will obtain a line-dominated spectrum with up to 27,000 counts collected in 300 seconds at 2 eV resolution across the 0.3-2.5 keV band. Micro-X will determine the thermodynamic and ionization state of the plasma, search for line shifts and broadening associated with dynamical processes, and seek evidence of ejecta enhancement. We describe the progress made in developing this payload, including the detector, cryogenics, and electronics assemblies.