NASA UV space telescope of the Explorer program, operated 2003-2013
This article is about the ultraviolet space telescope. For the neutrino detector, see GALLEX. For other uses, see GALEX (disambiguation).
Galaxy Evolution Explorer
GALEX spacecraft
Names
Explorer-83 SMEX-7
Mission type
Ultraviolet astronomy
Operator
NASA / JPL (2003-2012) Caltech (2012-2013)
COSPAR ID
2003-017A
SATCAT no.
27783
Website
https://www.galex.caltech.edu/
Mission duration
29 months (planned) [1] 10 years, 2 months (achieved) [2][3]
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft
Explorer LXXXIII
Spacecraft type
Galaxy Evolution Explorer
Bus
Orbview 4
Manufacturer
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Launch mass
280 kg (620 lb)
Dimensions
1 × 2.5 m (3 ft 3 in × 8 ft 2 in)
Power
290 watts
Start of mission
Launch date
28 April 2003, 11:59:57 UTC[1]
Rocket
Pegasus XL (F33)
Launch site
Cape Canaveral, Stargazer
Contractor
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Entered service
28 May 2003 [2]
End of mission
Deactivated
28 June 2013, 19:09 UTC [3]
Last contact
28 June 2013
Decay date
2068 (planned)
Orbital parameters
Reference system
Geocentric orbit[4]
Regime
Low Earth orbit
Perigee altitude
691 km (429 mi)
Apogee altitude
697 km (433 mi)
Inclination
29.00°
Period
98.60 minutes
Revolution no.
85423
Main telescope
Type
Ritchey–Chrétien[1]
Diameter
50 cm (20 in)
Focal length
f/6.0
Wavelengths
135–280 nm (Ultraviolet)
Instruments
Ultraviolet telescope
Explorer program
← CHIPS (Explorer 82)
Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory (Explorer 84) →
Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX or Explorer 83 or SMEX-7) was a NASA orbiting space telescope designed to observe the universe in ultraviolet wavelengths to measure the history of star formation in the universe. In addition to paving the way for future ultraviolet missions, the space telescope allowed astronomers to uncover mysteries about the early universe and how it evolved, as well as better characterize phenomena like black holes and dark matter. The mission was extended three times over a period of 10 years before it was decommissioned in June 2013. GALEX was launched on 28 April 2003 and decommissioned in June 2013.[1]
^ abcd"Display: GALEX (Explorer 83) 2003-017A". NASA. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ abCite error: The named reference JPL was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abCite error: The named reference Decommission was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX or Explorer 83 or SMEX-7) was a NASA orbiting space telescope designed to observe the universe in ultraviolet wavelengths...
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though other UV instruments have flown on smaller observatories such as GALEX, as well as sounding rockets and the Space Shuttle. Pioneers in ultraviolet...
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Evolution Explorer, GALEX, is an orbiting ultraviolet space telescope launched on April 28, 2003, which operated until early 2012. This GALEX image of the Cygnus...
Armando, Gil de Paz; Boissier; Madore; Seibert; Boselli; et al. (2007). "The GALEX Ultraviolet Atlas of Nearby Galaxies". Astrophysical Journal Supplement...
Samuel; Madore, Barry F.; Seibert, Mark; et al. (December 2007). "The GALEX Ultraviolet Atlas of Nearby Galaxies". The Astrophysical Journal Supplement...
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Global Information
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
