SPACE MART SPACE DAILY SPACE WAR TERRA DAILY MARS DAILY SPACE TRAVEL GPS DAILY ENERGY DAILY
  Space Industry and Business News  
Get Our Free Newsletters Via Email
  
Search All Our Sites at SpaceBank
Last of NASA's Great Observatories Set For Launch

SIRTF is the fourth and final element in NASA's family of orbiting "Great Observatories." All objects in the universe with temperatures above absolute zero (-460 F) emit some infrared radiation, or heat.

Florida - Aug 11, 2003
Launch of NASA's Space Infrared Telescope Facility is progressing towards an August 23, 2003 launch date with a window at 1:37:29am EDT.

Final observatory closeouts were completed on Aug. 3 with mating to the payload attach fitting beginning last Tuesday. Transportation to Pad 17-B is currently scheduled for Aug. 10. Cryogenic servicing of the observatory with liquid helium was performed on July 22.

The erection of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle on Pad 17-B began on Friday, July 18, with the erection of the first stage. Erection of the nine solid rocket boosters began on Saturday, July 19 and was completed on Friday, July 25. The second stage was hoisted atop the first stage on July 28. The fairing was hoisted into the launch pad clean room area on July 29.

The Flight Program Verification, an integrated test of the vehicle and the spacecraft, is scheduled to occur Aug. 12. The payload fairing will be installed around SIRTF atop the Delta II on Aug. 14, followed by servicing with cryogenic helium.

SIRTF is the fourth and final element in NASA's family of orbiting "Great Observatories." All objects in the universe with temperatures above absolute zero (-460 F) emit some infrared radiation, or heat.

Infrared wavelengths lie beyond the red portion of the visible spectrum and are invisible to the human eye. Most infrared light emitted by celestial objects is absorbed by Earth's atmosphere.

Scientists rely on orbiting telescopes such as SIRTF to capture data on celestial objects and phenomena that are too dim, distant or cool to study using ground-based telescopes or by other astronomical techniques.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
Space Infrared Telescope Facility
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express
Space Technology News - Applications and Research


TeleRay Mobile Sat TV Antenna For Japan Auto Market
Las Vegas CA (SPX) Jan 5, 2006
RaySat has introduced TeleRay, the world's smallest satellite TV vehicle antenna, into the domestic Japanese automotive market.

---------------------------------------------------------
New from Telescopes.com!

It's new. And it's downright terrific!

Celestron's CPC Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is the scope you've been waiting for! It offers new alignment technology, advanced engineering, and bold new design at a new, low price!

In fact, Celestron's Professional Computerized (CPC) scope with revolutionary SkyAlign Alignment Technology redefines everything that amateur astronomers are looking for. It offers quick and simple alignment, GPS technology, unsurpassed optical quality, ease of use, advanced ergonomics, enhanced computerization and, most important, affordability.

Want to view M-31 tonight? One button takes you there!

Shop for telescopes online at Telescopes.com! today!
------------------------------------------------------------






Memory Foam Mattress Review

Newsletters :: SpaceDaily Express :: SpaceWar Express :: TerraDaily Express :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News
  • Surrey Satellite To Conduct Rural Broadband Study For UK
  • Internet Speed Mark In Guinness World Records Book
  • SkyX Gateway Increases Web Satellite Download Speeds Up to 8 Times
  • BySky to Provide Two-Way Broadband Over Satlynx In Belgium and Holland

  • Atlas V Launches Rainbow 1 Satellite
  • Suborbital Legislation Moves In Congress
  • The Space Launch Industry Recent Trends and Near-Term Outlook
  • Suborbital Institute Applauds Space Commercialization Action

  • Wright Flyer Takes To The Sky In Las Vegas
  • Aurora Builds Low-speed Wind Tunnel
  • Yeager To Retire From Military Flying After October Airshow
  • Boeing Signs Technology Development Agreement With JAI For Work On Sonic Cruiser



  • World's Largest Robotic Telescope Ready For Action
  • Last of NASA's Great Observatories Set For Launch
  • Airbag To Keep Windsurfer Safe On 8000 Km Voyage
  • Modified F-5E For Sonic Boom Demonstration Completes First Flight

  • Earth and Space Sciences Grads Finding Jobs Faster

  • Spanish "Campaign" To Improve Hyperspectral Sensor Development
  • NASA Working To Take The Guesswork Out Of Long-Term Drought Prediction
  • NASA Ozone Satellite Improves Snowstorm Forecasts
  • China's Three Gorges Dam

  • Pinpoint Faraday Award For Surrey Space Centre
  • Surrey To Build First Galileo Navigation Test Satellite
  • Boeing Completes GPS IIF Integrated Baseline Review
  • Oskando To Introduce GPS-Based Personal Security Device

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement