The Diffuse Interstellar Cloud Experiment (DICE): integration and first-look data

We have assembled and launched the Diffuse Interstella r Cloud Experiment (DICE), an instrument capable of recording high resolution ( / = 30,000) spectra in the Far Ultraviolet (F UV). Absorption measurements toward nearby bright stars can provide new in sight into the processes governing warm-hot gas in the Local Interstella r Medium. It flew on May 21 st , 2010. An anomaly in the Black Brant motor subjected the payload to abnormally high vibration. As a result, the optics were misaligned and no sp ectral data fell on the detector. Here we present the details of mechanical and electrical integration with NASA launch systems, as well as optical alignment of the telescope and spectrograph. In addition, we summarize the flight results. Keywords: Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopy, Local Bubble, Sounding Rocket 1. SCIENTIFIC MOTIVATION The current model of the Local Inters tellar Medium (LISM) contains 3 phases of gas: cold (T ~ 100 K, n ~ 100 cm -3 ), warm (T~10 4 to 10 5