Experiment Examining a SLICE of the Interstellar Medium SLICE
was successfully launched April 21, 2013, at 4 a.m. EDT from the
White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. A preliminary look
shows that the science experiment showed good data results. The
payload was recovered. The SLICE mission had been scheduled for
launch in December 2012, but was delayed due to rocket and range
issues. The story below was published Dec. 13, 2012, and
references the earlier launch date. When you look up at the
stars at night, the space between stars looks empty. But, yes
there is something there. It’s called the interstellar medium.
An experiment from the University of Colorado will fly on a NASA
suborbital sounding rocket from the White Sands Missile Range in
New Mexico on December 15 to study this space between the stars.
The Sub-orbital Local Interstellar Cloud Experiment (SLICE) will
use an 8-inch diameter telescope and spectrograph covering the
far-ultraviolet wavelength range from 102 – 107 nm. Kevin
France, the SLICE pri