Chandra X-ray Observatory
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory is an active Great Observatory studying the high-energy universe with exceptionally sharp X-ray imaging and spectroscopy. Columbia launched it on STS-93; IUS-27 and Chandra's own propulsion system placed it into a long-period highly elliptical Earth orbit, where SAO conducts flight and science operations for NASA.
Identity
- Aliases
- ChandraAdvanced X-ray Astrophysics FacilityAXAFCXOChandra Mission
- Name
- Chandra X-ray Observatory
- Slug
- chandra-x-ray-observatory
- Status
- active
Details
- Description
- NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory is an active Great Observatory studying the high-energy universe with exceptionally sharp X-ray imaging and spectroscopy. Columbia launched it on STS-93; IUS-27 and Chandra's own propulsion system placed it into a long-period highly elliptical Earth orbit, where SAO conducts flight and science operations for NASA.
- Launch Site Id
- qh7bfkkw0eascg5gfjvjv05dhh85ktxn
- Outcome
- Active and highly successful. Chandra exceeded its planned five-year lifetime many times over and continues returning high-resolution X-ray observations that support research on black holes, supernova remnants, galaxy clusters, stellar evolution, and other energetic phenomena.
- Program
- NASA Great Observatories Program
- Start Date
- 1999-07-23
- Vehicle Family Ids
- nd7sxcspb3czhd8b3vfx56eekh85ksaend7sfzkcnm3et0bbn4w64hgv1d8aqceynd7r9qpzc1tanegkjarvbkyh798apmsk
- Vehicle Id
- nh7tbvkt2se0hnch5w88vy09an8ap1fj
Links
- Official Url
- https://science.nasa.gov/mission/chandra/
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- 7/17/2026, 1:15:48 AM
- Updated Time
- 7/17/2026, 1:15:48 AM
Other
- Affiliations
- Organization Id
- vh76vnx3yy1vy23j7zc3wk80wx7nhx5f
- Role
- Lead agency, mission sponsor, and Great Observatories program owner
- Organization Id
- vn7brfp7hhv18708p1496zchz98aqd5m
- Role
- Program management, observatory development leadership, testing, and calibration
- Organization Id
- vn7d1tarzcznj89nd3qq8n9wrs8apgmk
- Role
- Chandra X-ray Center, flight operations, science operations, mission support, and High Resolution Camera
- Organization Id
- jd721nj3rrbc9hy6hqxftvxatn7kpgtd
- Role
- TRW historical prime contractor for spacecraft construction, integration, and observatory testing
- Organization Id
- jd7atcy8qz2mwf1b5bcd0ckw8s7kp4gj
- Role
- IUS-27 upper-stage provider
- Organization Id
- jd719gpm400m50p0prn6hyxpp58aqnbk
- Role
- Science Instrument Module and aspect-camera development
- Organization Id
- jd7evn2g4sq6t60kgge713k9gh7kpcyk
- Role
- X-ray mirror grinding and polishing
- Organization Id
- vn71xd72jhy95w82zbxq5hzb818aqj49
- Role
- Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer and High Energy Transmission Grating development
- Organization Id
- vn7bc2ygme29cq3z8v2g0emqhx8aqegy
- Role
- Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer co-development
- Organization Id
- vn7ccfjc2h8ah1nryps2jec6ax8aq9mk
- Role
- Low Energy Transmission Grating development through the Dutch space-research institute
- Organization Id
- vn73qtx1n92t819rjf3vz7zmhs8aqxvj
- Role
- Low Energy Transmission Grating collaboration