Chandra X-Ray Observatory

2 Pages·1999·0.091 MB·English

NSSDC Master Catalog Display: Spacecraft http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1999-040B
NSSDC Master Catalog Display: Spacecraft
Chandra X-Ray Observatory
NSSDC ID: 1999-040B
Other Names
AXAF
Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility
25867
Launch Date/Time: 1999-07-23 at 11:47 UTC
On-orbit Dry Mass: 4790 kg
Nominal Power Output: 2000 W
Description
The Chandra X-ray Observatory (formerly the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility, or AXAF) was built around
a high-resolution grazing incidence X-ray telescope which will make astrophysical observations in the 0.09 to 10.0
keV energy range. The principal science objectives of the mission were to determine the nature of celestial objects
from normal stars to quasars, to understand the nature of physical processes which take place in and between
astronomical objects, and to generally study the history and evolution of the universe. Observations will be made
of X-rays from high energy regions such as supernova remnants, X-ray pulsars, black holes, neutron stars, and
hot galactic clusters. The spacecraft has a cone-shaped body with an octagonal structure surrounding the wide
end. Two solar panel wings extend from opposite sides of the structure. The main opening is at the wide end
covered by a sunshade door with a contamination cover. An aspect camera and stray light shade are mounted
near the opening and 2 low gain antennas and two fine Sun sensors are affixed to the outside structure. Thermal
control is maintained by a radiator, insulators, heaters, and thermostats. Power generated by the solar panels is
stored in three banks of batteries. The X-ray telescope consists of four nested paraboloid-hyperboloid X-ray
mirror pairs, arranged in concentric cylinders within the cone. The four instruments are located near the focus at
the narrow end of the cone: the High Resolution Camera (HRC), the CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS), High
Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (HETGS), and the Low Energy Transmission Grating (LETG).
Discipline
Astronomy
Sponsoring Agency/Country
NASA-Office of Space Science/United States
Personnel Information
Launch/Orbital Information
Experiment Information
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NSSDC Master Catalog Display: Spacecraft http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1999-040B
Data Set Information
Related Information/Data at NSSDC
Informatio n about STS 93 (Chandra Deployment mission)
AXAF assembly co mpleted (03/12/98)
US Active Archive for Chandra Information/Data
The Chandra Data Archive at the Chandra X-Ray Center
Other Sources of Chandra Information/Data
The Chandra Science UK Mirror
Chandra X-Ray Observatory Center
Chandra Project Science (NASA MSFC)
Instrument/Experiment Pages
ACIS - AXAF CCD Imaging Spectrometer (MIT)
HETG - High Energy Transmission Grating (MIT)
HRC - High Resolution Camera (SAO)
LETG - Low Energy Transmission Grating (MPE)
NSSDC home page
For questions about this mission, please contact:
Dr. Beth A. Brown
GSFC-Code 662
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771
301-286-4132
[email protected]
NSSDC Security and Privacy Statement
NASA Official: Ed Grayzeck, [email protected]
Last Updated: 2002-06-07
Output Generated: 2006-01-17
Programming by: E. V. Bell, II ([email protected])
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