Einstein Observatory

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.

This article is about the X-ray telescope. For the Chinese X-ray telescope, see Einstein Probe. For the observatory building in Potsdam, see Einstein Tower. For the proposed gravitational wave detector, see Einstein Telescope.

Einstein Observatory
Einstein Observatory
Mission typeAstronomy
OperatorNASA
COSPAR ID1978-103A
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
 
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