High Energy Astrophysical Observatory Program
NASA’s High Energy Astrophysical Observatory Program comprised three large observatories launched between 1977 and 1979 to explore the high-energy sky. HEAO-1 surveyed the X-ray sky, HEAO-2 (the Einstein Observatory) pioneered imaging X-ray astronomy and guest-observer access, and HEAO-3 surveyed hard X-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays through the program’s operations ending in May 1981.
Identity
- Aliases
- HEAO ProgramHigh Energy Astronomy ObservatoriesHEAOHigh Energy Astrophysical Observatory
- Domains
- spaceflight
- Name
- High Energy Astrophysical Observatory Program
- Status
- completed
- Types
- scienceresearchoperationsdevelopment
Details
- Description
- NASA’s High Energy Astrophysical Observatory Program comprised three large observatories launched between 1977 and 1979 to explore the high-energy sky. HEAO-1 surveyed the X-ray sky, HEAO-2 (the Einstein Observatory) pioneered imaging X-ray astronomy and guest-observer access, and HEAO-3 surveyed hard X-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays through the program’s operations ending in May 1981.
- End Date
- 1981-05
- Leads
- Participants
- -
- Start Date
- 1977-08-12
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 13, 2026 at 15:00:14 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 13, 2026 at 15:00:14 UTC