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A new satellite, called the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM), is set to launch on August 26. The mission is a collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The purpose of the mission is to investigate the mysteries surrounding the formation of the universe and the structure of spacetime.

One of the key objectives of XRISM is to study the X-rays emitted from galaxy clusters, which are the largest building blocks of the universe. By detecting X-ray light from the hot gas enveloping these clusters, XRISM aims to measure their mass and provide insights into the evolution of the universe.

Additionally, XRISM will shed light on the history of the universe’s chemical elements by analyzing the X-rays emitted by the gas leftover from the birth and death of stars.

Another important aspect of the mission is to measure X-ray light from dense objects like supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. This data will help scientists understand how these objects warp spacetime and influence their host galaxies.

ESA is providing hardware and scientific advice for the mission and will be allocated 8% of XRISM’s available observing time. ESA’s contributions include an optical telescope to ensure accurate pointing, devices to sense Earth’s magnetic field and adjust the spacecraft accordingly, and instruments like Resolve and Xtend.

Resolve, developed by ESA, will measure the temperature and dynamics of X-ray emitting objects, enhancing assessments of temperature and motions of hot X-ray emitting gas. Xtend, the other main instrument on XRISM, will enable the satellite to observe a larger area of space.

After thorough testing on Earth, XRISM is scheduled to launch on a H-IIA rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. The launch can be watched live in English on JAXA’s YouTube channel. The mission holds the key to answering important questions in modern astrophysics and will provide valuable insights into the evolution of the universe and the influence of massive black holes on galaxies.

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