Status of the PolarLight X-ray polarimeter in space

PolarLight is a compact X-ray polarimeter on a CubeSat, which was launched into a low-Earth orbit in October 2018. In the first three months, the detector was briefly powered on for functional test. With successful upgrades of the satellite software, which enables accurate attitude control and continuous operation of the payload, PolarLight is now in the full commissioning phase, and keeps observing scientific objects including the Crab nebula and Sco X-1. Here we will describe the status of the instrument in space and show some preliminary results. We will also show simulation designs for a thicker polarimeter that can suit a future CubeSat with higher detection efficiency.