AeroVia Logo
AeroVia
Home
Resources
Courses
Community
About
Back to Missions

Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array

NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array is a focusing high-energy X-ray observatory that studies black holes, supernova remnants, neutron stars, and energetic active galaxies. A deployable mast separates its grazing-incidence optics from the focal-plane detectors to provide focused imaging in the hard X-ray band.

Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array
NASA/JPL-Caltech · The exact JPL record https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia15265-artists-concept-of-nustar/ identifies this artist concept of NuSTAR on orbit, describes the 10-meter deployable mast and the Chandra X-ray Observatory background, and credits NASA/JPL-Caltech. The stored 2958x1668 image is byte-identical to the record direct JPG. JPL Image Use Policy says that, unless otherwise noted, images and video on public jpl.nasa.gov sites may be used for any purpose without prior permission, subject to its special cases; it requires this credit line, forbids claiming or implying NASA, JPL, or Caltech endorsement, and requires separate approval for NASA/JPL logos or permission concerns involving identifiable people. This asset has no visible logo or identifiable person. The record does not identify a separate copyright owner for the Chandra background, so this rights basis relies on the JPL page listed credit and default policy. · Source
Follow this mission

Schedule, status, and mission updates. Time-based alerts will start when a time is available.

Identity

Aliases
NuSTAR
Name
Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array
Status
active

Details

Astronauts
-
Description
NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array is a focusing high-energy X-ray observatory that studies black holes, supernova remnants, neutron stars, and energetic active galaxies. A deployable mast separates its grazing-incidence optics from the focal-plane detectors to provide focused imaging in the hard X-ray band.
Destination
Low Earth orbit at approximately 610–650 km altitude and 6° inclination for focused hard X-ray imaging (3–79 keV) of black holes, supernova remnants, neutron stars, and active galaxies
Launch Site
Outcome
NuSTAR remains an active community observatory. Its results include precise measurements of black-hole spin, mapping radioactive material in supernova remnants, discoveries involving ultraluminous X-ray sources, and contributions to the first image of a black hole.
Programs
Start Date
2012-06-13
Vehicle Families

Links

Official Url
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/NuSTAR/

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
July 18, 2026 at 14:43:22 UTC
Updated Time
August 22, 2026 at 13:36:21 UTC
Image
Download

Other

Affiliations
Search Name
Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array NuSTAR
Space Stations
-
Vehicles