operational X-ray · United States
Chandra X-ray Observatory
NASA · operator profile
NASA's flagship X-ray observatory, built to image extremely hot, high-energy regions of the universe: supernova remnants, matter falling into black holes, and colliding galaxy clusters.
Facts
Launch date
23 July 1999
Primary mirror
1.2 m diameter nested mirror assembly
Location
Highly elliptical Earth orbit, up to ~139,000 km
Timeline
Launched 23 July 1999 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia; one of NASA’s four "Great Observatories" alongside Hubble, Spitzer and the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory.
Frequently asked about Chandra X-ray Observatory
- Who operates Chandra X-ray Observatory?
- Chandra X-ray Observatory is operated by NASA.
- Is Chandra X-ray Observatory operational?
- Yes, Chandra X-ray Observatory is currently operational.
- Where does Chandra X-ray Observatory operate from?
- Chandra X-ray Observatory operates from Highly elliptical Earth orbit, up to ~139,000 km, observing primarily in the x-ray range.