Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics

Advanced Telescope for High-ENergy Astrophysics
NamesAthena
Mission typeSpace telescope
OperatorEuropean Space Agency (ESA)
Websitewww.the-athena-x-ray-observatory.eu
Mission duration4 years (planned)
Start of mission
Launch date2035 (planned)[1]
RocketAriane 64
Launch siteCentre Spatial Guyanais
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemL2 point (baseline)
Main telescope
TypeX-ray telescope
Focal length12 m (39 ft)

Advanced Telescope for High-ENergy Astrophysics (Athena)[1][2] is an X-ray observatory mission selected by European Space Agency (ESA) within its Cosmic Vision program[3] to address the Hot and Energetic Universe scientific theme. Athena will operate in the energy range of 0.2–12 keV and will offer spectroscopic and imaging capabilities exceeding those of currently operating X-ray astronomy satellites – e.g. the Chandra X-ray Observatory and XMM-Newton – by at least one order of magnitude on several parameter spaces simultaneously.

  1. ^ a b "Athena: Mission Summary". ESA. 2 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  2. ^ "The Athena X-ray Observatory: Community Support Portal". ESA. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  3. ^ "ESA's new vision to study the invisible universe". ESA. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.