retired Infrared · United States
Spitzer Space Telescope
NASA · operator profile
The last of NASA's four Great Observatories, an infrared telescope that studied everything from asteroids and exoplanet atmospheres to the structure of the Milky Way, before being decommissioned in 2020.
Facts
Launch date
25 August 2003
Primary mirror
0.85 m single mirror
Location
Earth-trailing heliocentric orbit (retired)
Timeline
Launched 25 August 2003; operated for over 16 years, well past its planned 2.5-year mission; retired 30 January 2020 after its Earth-trailing orbit carried it too far away to communicate reliably.
Frequently asked about Spitzer Space Telescope
- Who operates Spitzer Space Telescope?
- Spitzer Space Telescope is operated by NASA.
- Is Spitzer Space Telescope operational?
- No — Spitzer Space Telescope is retired. Launched 25 August 2003; operated for over 16 years, well past its planned 2.5-year mission; retired 30 January 2020 after its Earth-trailing orbit carried it too far away to communicate reliably.
- Where does Spitzer Space Telescope operate from?
- Spitzer Space Telescope operates from Earth-trailing heliocentric orbit (retired), observing primarily in the infrared range.