A short summary of the PoGO+ flight

The PoGO+ launch campaign started at Esrange in mid-May 2016. Once the polarimeter was integrated with the attitude control system and the balloon systems, integrated system tests were conducted, including pointing tests and the final scientific calibration of the polarimeter. The launch window opened on July 1st (once the Crab was sufficient displaced from the sun). Weather conditions permitted launch attempts on 9th, 10th and 11th July with the final attempt resulting in a launch on July 12th 2016 at 05:17. Once at operational altitude, observations of the Crab and Cygnus X-1 started and continued without problem during the flight. Conditions were excellent and each source was observed daily, for the duration of the almost week long flight from Esrange to Victoria Island, Canada. Science data storage units were returned to Sweden soon after the flight ended and data reduction and analysis is now in progress.

Read the full story on the OKC blog .