Back to Vehicle Families

Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe spacecraft

WMAP was a NASA microwave observatory that mapped tiny temperature and polarization variations in the cosmic microwave background from the Sun-Earth L2 region, turning precision measurements of the early universe into constraints on its age, geometry, and contents.

Follow this vehicle family

Future launches and major activity directly linked to this vehicle family.

Identity

Aliases
WMAPWilkinson Microwave Anisotropy ProbeMicrowave Anisotropy ProbeMAP
Family Name
WMAP
Full Name
Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe spacecraft
Roles
orbiterobservatoryresearch
Status
retired
Type
spacecraft

Details

Description
WMAP was a NASA microwave observatory that mapped tiny temperature and polarization variations in the cosmic microwave background from the Sun-Earth L2 region, turning precision measurements of the early universe into constraints on its age, geometry, and contents.
First Flight Year
2,001
Last Flight Year
2,010
Operator
Programs
Spacecraft Specs
Launch Mass Kg
830
Reusability
expendable

Links

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
August 1, 2026 at 15:07:41 UTC
Updated Time
August 13, 2026 at 18:38:25 UTC