Einstein Observatory
Einstein Observatory | |
| Mission type | Astronomy |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 1978-103A |
| SATCAT no. | 11101 |
| Website | Einstein Observatory at NASA.gov |
| Mission duration | 4 years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | TRW |
| Dry mass | 3,130 kilograms (6,900 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 13 November 1978 05:24 UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1AR |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral LC-36B |
| End of mission | |
| Last contact | 17 April 1981 |
| Decay date | 26 May 1982 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 465 kilometres (289 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 476 kilometres (296 mi) |
| Inclination | 23.5° |
| Period | 94.0 minutes |
| Epoch | 13 November 1978 05:24:00 UTC |
Einstein Observatory (HEAO-2) was the first fully imaging X-ray telescope put into space and the second of NASA's three High Energy Astrophysical Observatories. Named HEAO B before launch, the observatory's name was changed to honor Albert Einstein upon its successfully attaining orbit.