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Spitzer Space Telescope System

Spitzer was an Earth-trailing infrared observatory built around a Lockheed Martin spacecraft and a Ball Aerospace cryogenic telescope assembly. It continued for more than a decade in a warm extended mission after helium depletion.

Spitzer Space Telescope System
NASA · NASA asset; the exact NASA Photojournal record PIA23644 identifies this byte-matched photograph as the Spitzer Space Telescope being readied for launch at Cape Canaveral in 2003 and credits NASA. NASA’s current Images and Media Usage Guidelines generally permit factual, informational, or editorial use with NASA attribution and without implying NASA endorsement. NASA insignia and identifiers, identifiable personnel, commercial, promotional, merchandise, or other protected-rights uses may require separate clearance; verify before such use. · Source
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Identity

Aliases
Space Infrared Telescope FacilitySIRTFSpitzer Warm MissionSpitzer Beyond
Family Name
Spitzer
Full Name
Spitzer Space Telescope System
Roles
observatoryresearch
Status
retired
Type
spacecraft

Details

Description
Spitzer was an Earth-trailing infrared observatory built around a Lockheed Martin spacecraft and a Ball Aerospace cryogenic telescope assembly. It continued for more than a decade in a warm extended mission after helium depletion.
First Flight Year
2,003
Last Flight Year
2,020
Manufacturer
Operator
Spacecraft Specs
Launch Mass Kg
950
Reusability
unknown

Links

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

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
July 17, 2026 at 00:53:20 UTC
Updated Time
August 14, 2026 at 11:47:13 UTC
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Search Name
Spitzer Space Telescope System Space Infrared Telescope Facility SIRTF Spitzer Warm Mission Spitzer Beyond