 Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 3 in a clean room before launch. | |
| Names | OAO-3, Copernicus, OAO-C, Orbiting Astronomical Observatory-C, PL-701D |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Astronomy |
| Operator | NASA, SERC |
| COSPAR ID | 1972-065A |
| SATCAT no. | 06153 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Dry mass | 2,204 kilograms (4,859 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 21 August 1972 UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral LC-36B |
| End of mission | |
| Deactivated | February 1981 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 713 kilometres (443 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 724 kilometres (450 mi) |
| Inclination | 35.0 degrees |
| Period | 99.2 minutes |
Copernicus or OAO-3 (Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 3), also mentioned as Orbiting Astronomical Observatory-C,[1][2] was a space telescope intended for ultraviolet and X-ray observation. After its launch, it was named Copernicus to mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus in 1473.
Part of the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory program, it was a collaborative effort between NASA and the UK's Science Research Council (currently known as the Science and Engineering Research Council).[3]
Copernicus collected high-resolution spectra of hundreds of stars, galaxies and planets, remaining in service until February 1981.[1]
- ^ a b "Orbiting Astronomical Observatory-C to be terminated". Goddard News. Vol. 28. January 5, 1981. p. 1.
- ^ "OAO 3". NSSDCA Master Catalog.
- ^ "The Copernicus Satellite". heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-18.