Einstein Observatory
X-ray telescope space observatory / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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This article is about the X-ray telescope. For the Chinese X-ray telescope, see Einstein Probe. For the observatory building in Potsdam, see Einstein Tower. For the proposed gravitational wave detector, see Einstein Telescope.
Einstein Observatory (HEAO-2) was the first fully imaging X-ray telescope put into space and the second of NASA's three High Energy Astrophysical Observatories. Named HEAO B before launch, the observatory's name was changed to honor Albert Einstein upon its successfully attaining orbit.[1]
Quick Facts Mission type, Operator ...
Mission type | Astronomy |
---|---|
Operator | NASA |
COSPAR ID | 1978-103A |
SATCAT no. | 11101 |
Website | Einstein Observatory at NASA.gov |
Mission duration | 4 years |
Spacecraft properties | |
Manufacturer | TRW |
Dry mass | 3,130 kilograms (6,900 lb) |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 13 November 1978, 05:24 (1978-11-13UTC05:24) UTC |
Rocket | Atlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1AR |
Launch site | Cape Canaveral LC-36B |
End of mission | |
Last contact | 17 April 1981 (1981-04-18) |
Decay date | 26 May 1982 |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Low Earth |
Perigee altitude | 465 kilometres (289 mi) |
Apogee altitude | 476 kilometres (296 mi) |
Inclination | 23.5° |
Period | 94.0 minutes |
Epoch | 13 November 1978 05:24:00 UTC |
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