Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer

Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer
RXTE 3D Model
Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer satellite
NamesExplorer 69
RXTE
XTE
Mission typeAstronomy
OperatorNASA
COSPAR ID1995-074A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.23757
WebsiteRXTE home page
Mission duration16 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftExplorer LXVIX
Spacecraft typeRossi X-ray Timing Explorer
BusX-ray Timing Explorer
ManufacturerGoddard Space Flight Center
Launch mass3,200 kg (7,100 lb)
Power800 watts
Start of mission
Launch date30 December 1995, 13:48:00 UTC
RocketDelta II 7920-10 (Delta 230)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, SLC-17A
ContractorMcDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company
Entered service30 December 1995
End of mission
Deactivated12 January 2012
Decay date30 April 2018 [1]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[2]
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude409 km (254 mi)
Apogee altitude409 km (254 mi)
Inclination28.50°
Period92.60 minutes
Instruments
ASM All Sky Monitor (ASM)
HEXTE High-Energy X-ray Timing Experiment (HEXTE)
PCA Proportional Counter Array (PCA)

The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) was a NASA satellite that observed the time variation of astronomical X-ray sources, named after physicist Bruno Rossi. The RXTE had three instruments — an All-Sky Monitor, the High-Energy X-ray Timing Experiment (HEXTE) and the Proportional Counter Array. The RXTE observed X-rays from black holes, neutron stars, X-ray pulsars and X-ray bursts. It was funded as part of the Explorer program and was also called Explorer 69.

RXTE had a mass of 3,200 kg (7,100 lb) and was launched from Cape Canaveral on 30 December 1995, at 13:48:00 UTC, on a Delta II launch vehicle. Its International Designator is 1995-074A.[3]

  1. ^ "NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer Leaves Scientific "Treasure Trove"". NASA. May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ "Trajectory: X-Ray Timing Explorer (1995-074A) Explorer 69". NASA. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ "Display: X-Ray Timing Explorer (1995-074A) Explorer 69". NASA. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.