NICER (Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer)

This illustration shows NASA's NICER observatory in shades of blue. A smaller, flat and square lower half connects to a top half that is cube-shaped with a series of small, circular pieces across its face.
An illustration of NASA's NICER X-ray observatory. The colors depicted in this illustration are for artistic purposes only.
NASA
December 20, 2022
CreditNASA
Historical DateDecember 20, 2022
Language
  • english

An illustration of NASA's NICER X-ray observatory. The colors depicted in this illustration are for artistic purposes only.

NICER studies neutron stars and other phenomena from its home aboard the International Space Station. NICER also demonstrated the use of galactic pulsars for the navigation of future deep-space exploration missions.

Launched: June 3, 2017