NASA's series of Great Observatories satellites are four large, powerful space-based astronomical telescopes launched between 1990 and 2003. They were built with different technology to examine specific wavelength/energy regions of the electromagnetic spectrum: gamma rays, X-rays, visible and ultraviolet light, and infrared light.
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) primarily observes visible light and near-ultraviolet. It was launched in 1990 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery during STS-31. In 1997 the STS-82 servicing mission added capability in the near-infrared range, and in 2009 the STS-125 mission fixed the telescope and extended its projected service life.
The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) primarily observed gamma rays, though it extended into hard x-rays as well. It was launched in 1991 aboard Atlantis during STS-37 and was de-orbited in 2000 after a gyroscope failed.
The Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO) primarily observes soft X-rays. It was launched in 1999 aboard Columbia during STS-93 into an elliptical high-Earth orbit, and was initially named the Advanced X-ray Astronomical Facility (AXAF).
The Spitzer Space Telescope (SST) observed the infrared spectrum. It was launched in 2003 aboard a Delta II rocket into an Earth-trailing solar orbit. Depletion of its liquid helium coolant in 2009 reduced its functionality, leaving it with only two short-wavelength imaging modules. It was removed from service and placed into safe-mode on January 30, 2020.
The Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory continue to operate as of April 2024.
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NASA's series of GreatObservatories satellites are four large, powerful space-based astronomical telescopes launched between 1990 and 2003. They were...
telescope programs, including the GreatObservatory Technology Maturation Program, Habitable Worlds Observatory, and New GreatObservatories. Airborne...
telescopes for the GreatObservatoriesprogram are, Hubble Space Telescope (visible, ultraviolet), launched 1990, Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (gamma), launched...
The GreatObservatories Origins Deep Survey, or GOODS, is an astronomical survey combining deep observations from three of NASA's GreatObservatories: the...
hole; a follow-up to HTXS and BHFP spaceflight portal GreatObservatoriesprogram "GreatObservatories". Beyond Einstein. NASA. Archived from the original...
CGRO was part of NASA's "GreatObservatories" series, along with the Hubble Space Telescope, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the Spitzer Space Telescope...
NASA's GreatObservatoriesprogram; other parts of the spectrum are covered by the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the...
Legacy Field (2019) GreatObservatories Origins Deep Survey Anniversary images List of deep fields Related GreatObservatoriesprogram Space Telescope Science...
volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed. Historically, observatories were as simple as containing an astronomical...
by John Charles Duncan in 1920 on a plate made with the Mount Wilson Observatory 60-inch telescope. They are so named because the gas and dust are in...
through the James Webb Space Telescope, the GreatObservatories and associated programs. The Launch Services Program oversees launch operations for its uncrewed...
The Apollo program, also known as Project Apollo, was the United States human spaceflight program carried out by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration...
NASA's Solar Terrestrial Probes program (STP) is a series of missions focused on studying the Sun-Earth system. It is part of NASA's Heliophysics Science...
Millennium Program (NMP) was a NASA project with focus on engineering validation of new technologies for space applications. Funding for the program was eliminated...
The Constellation program (abbreviated CxP) was a crewed spaceflight program developed by NASA, the space agency of the United States, from 2005 to 2009...
FourStar imager on the 6.5m Magellan Baade telescope at Las Campanas Observatory. It uses medium-band filters in the near-IR that allow for samplings...
branch observatories located at Qinghai (in Delingha), Ganyu, Xuyi, Honghe (in Jiamusi), and Qingdao. The Minor Planet Center credits the observatory, simply...
The Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program places the three prime NASA space communications networks, Space Network (SN), Near Earth Network...
The Viking program consisted of a pair of identical American space probes, Viking 1 and Viking 2, which landed on Mars in 1976. The mission effort began...
interest in NASA. In 1974, as part of the Federal Graphics Improvement Program of the National Endowment for the Arts, NASA hired Richard Danne and Bruce...
Legacy Field (2019) GreatObservatories Origins Deep Survey Anniversary images List of deep fields Related GreatObservatoriesprogram Space Telescope Science...
observations had been made by both space-based and ground-based observatories. Ground-based observatories have the drawback that at infrared wavelengths or frequencies...
engineers created in 1958, tasked with managing America's human spaceflight programs. Headed by Robert Gilruth and based at the Langley Research Center in Hampton...
the Space Shuttle program. The NEN falls under NASA's SOMD (Space Operations Mission Directorate), interoperating with the SCaN Program offices. The Goddard...
Test Project (ASTP), 135 for the Space Shuttle program, and 1 for SpaceX (NASA Commercial Crew Program). Although European human spaceflight, performed...
history to pursue programs in aeronautics research, robotic spaceflight, technology development, and human space exploration programs. NASA's budget for...
launched in a short time interval compared to larger observatories like NASA's GreatObservatories. Excluding the launches, the MIDEX class has a current...
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