Flight performance and first results from the sub-orbital local interstellar cloud experiment (SLICE)

• DOI: 10.1117/12.2023400
• Publication Date: 2013-09-25T21:36:33Z
• Authors: Kevin France; Nicholas Nell; Keri Hoadley; Robert Kane; Eric B. Burgh; Matthew Beasley; Rachel Bushinksy; Ted B. Schultz; Michael Kaiser; Christopher Moore; Jennifer Kulow; James C. Green
• Keywords: Sounding rocket; Rocket (weapon); Spectral resolution; Orbital mechanics; Galactic astronomy; Cassegrain reflector

We present the flight performance and preliminary science results from first of Sub-orbital Local Interstellar Cloud Experiment (SLICE). SLICE is a rocket-borne far-ultraviolet instrument designed to study diffuse interstellar medium. The payload comprises Cassegrain telescope with LiF-coated aluminum optics feeding Rowland Circle spectrograph operating at medium resolution (R ~ 5000) over 102 – 107 nm bandpass. novel method for cleaning LiF-overcoated Al instrumental wavelength calibration, while details design assembly are presented in companion proceeding (Kane et al. 2013). focus primarily on spring 2013 launch this work. was launched aboard Terrier-Black Brant IX sounding rocket White Sands Missile Range observe four hot stars sampling different sightlines. acquired approximately 240 seconds on-target time spectra. atomic molecular transitions (HI, OI, CII, OVI, H₂) tracing range temperatures, ionization states, fractions clouds. Initial spectral synthesis future plans discussed.