Einstein Observatory

Einstein Observatory
Einstein Observatory
Mission typeAstronomy
OperatorNASA
COSPAR ID1978-103A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.11101
WebsiteEinstein Observatory at NASA.gov
Mission duration4 years
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerTRW
Dry mass3,130 kilograms (6,900 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date13 November 1978, 05:24 (1978-11-13UTC05:24) UTC
RocketAtlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1AR
Launch siteCape Canaveral LC-36B
End of mission
Last contact17 April 1981 (1981-04-18)
Decay date26 May 1982
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude465 kilometres (289 mi)
Apogee altitude476 kilometres (296 mi)
Inclination23.5°
Period94.0 minutes
Epoch13 November 1978 05:24:00 UTC

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]

  1. ^ "HEA Heritage Missions: Einstein Observatory". cfa.harvard.edu. Retrieved March 27, 2014.