HETE 2

NASA’s HETE 2 (High Energy Transient Explorer 2) detected and localized gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Using a suite of instruments that simultaneously observed low-energy X-rays to gamma rays, HETE 2 computed the location of bursts on board and transmitted their coordinates as soon as they were calculated. These were then quickly distributed to ground-based observers, enabling detailed studies of the initial GRB phases.

past Mission

Type

Space telescope

Launch

Oct. 9, 2000

Wavelength

Multiwavelength

operations ceased

March 2008

HETE-1 on a white background.

Artist's concept of HETE 2 (High Energy Transient Explorer 2).

Credit: NASA

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