Astrophysics Explorers
The overall Explorer program is managed by the Heliophysics Division. Small- and medium-class, PI-led Astrophysics missions, as well as Astrophysics missions of opportunity, are selected under the Explorer program, and are managed by the Astrophysics Division. Explorers are opportunities for focused scientific investigations, and fill the scientific gaps between the larger missions. For example, the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) will conduct a census of black holes for the Physics of the Cosmos program and study the birth of elements for the Cosmic Origins program. Similarly, the Gravity and Extreme Magnetism Small Explorer (GEMS) measures the polarization of x-rays emitted by astrophysical objects. GEMS will reveal the effects of spinning black holes on the surrounding space-time and matter, as well as what happens in the super strong magnetic fields of neutron stars.
*Sort missions by clicking the column headers.
| Division | Name | Launch Date | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astrophysics |
Astro-H
Astro-H is a powerful orbiting observatory being developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for studying extremely energetic processes in the universe. NASA and the JAXA/Institute of Space and Astronautical Science have teamed up to develop a high resolution ... | 20140215 February 15, 2014 | 2Development |
| Astrophysics |
FUSE
Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) studied the far ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum from high orbit. This range provided an opportunity to answer important questions about many types of astrophysical objects, such as the nuclear regions of active galaxies ... | 19990624 June 24, 1999 | 4Past |
| Astrophysics |
GALEX
Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) is exploring the origin and evolution of galaxies and the origins of stars and heavy elements, and is also conducting an all-sky ultraviolet survey. This mission is part of SMD's Astrophysics Explorers program. This mission is ... | 20030428 April 28, 2003 | 3Operating |
| Astrophysics |
GEMS
GEMS will use an X-ray telescope to explore the shape of space that has been distorted by a spinning black hole's gravity, and probe the structure and effects of the formidable magnetic field around magnetars, dead stars with magnetic fields ... | 20140701 July 2014 | 2Development |
| Astrophysics |
NuSTAR
The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array is a pathfinder mission that will open the high energy X-ray sky for sensitive study for the first time. This mission is part of SMD's Astrophysics Explorers program. | 20120314 March 14, 2012 | 2Development |
| Astrophysics |
RXTE
Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer studies variability over time in the emission of X-ray sources, with moderate spectral resolution. This time behavior is a source of important information about processes and structures in white-dwarf stars, X-ray binaries, neutron stars, pulsars and ... | 19951230 December 30, 1995 | 3Operating |
| Astrophysics |
Suzaku (Astro-E2)
Suzaku (formerly Astro-E2) provides powerful tools to use the Universe as a laboratory for unraveling complex, high-energy processes and the behavior of matter under extreme conditions. This mission is part of SMD's Astrophysics Explorers program. This mission was awarded via ... | 20050710 July 10, 2005 | 3Operating |
| Astrophysics |
Swift
Swift Gamma Ray Burst Explorer is a three-telescope space observatory for studying the position, brightness, and physical properties of gamma ray bursts. Although gamma ray bursts are the largest known explosions in the Universe, outshining the rest of the Universe ... | 20041120 November 20, 2004 | 3Operating |
| Astrophysics |
WISE
WISE is a NASA-funded scientific research project that will provide a vast storehouse of knowledge about the solar system, the Milky Way, and the Universe. Among the objects WISE will study are asteroids, the coolest and dimmest stars, and the ... | 20091214 December 14, 2009 | 4Past |
| Astrophysics |
WMAP
Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) produced the earliest “baby picture” of the universe, showing the minute temperature variations within the microwave light produced when the Universe was about 400,000 years old. These data provided a wealth of information about the ... | 20010630 June 30, 2001 | 4Past |