Einstein Probe
Einstein Probe is a Chinese Academy of Sciences mission for time-domain X-ray astronomy, developed with ESA, the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics and CNES. Launched on 9 January 2024, it surveys transient and variable sources using a lobster-eye Wide-field X-ray Telescope and a narrower Follow-up X-ray Telescope. Rapid alerts support observations of stellar flares, accreting compact objects, gamma-ray bursts and potential electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational-wave events. Its science centre’s 2026 Cycle-3 call documents continuing survey and follow-up operations.
Follow this mission
Schedule, status, and mission updates. Time-based alerts will start when a time is available.
Identity
- Aliases
- EP
- Name
- Einstein Probe
- Status
- active
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Einstein Probe is a Chinese Academy of Sciences mission for time-domain X-ray astronomy, developed with ESA, the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics and CNES. Launched on 9 January 2024, it surveys transient and variable sources using a lobster-eye Wide-field X-ray Telescope and a narrower Follow-up X-ray Telescope. Rapid alerts support observations of stellar flares, accreting compact objects, gamma-ray bursts and potential electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational-wave events. Its science centre’s 2026 Cycle-3 call documents continuing survey and follow-up operations.
- Destination
- Circular low Earth orbit at about 600 km altitude and 29 degrees inclination
- Programs
- -
- Start Date
- 2024-01-09
- Vehicle Families
- -
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- October 29, 2026 at 16:09:06 UTC
- Updated Time
- October 29, 2026 at 16:09:06 UTC
Other
- Affiliations
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles
- -