Contamination affecting Chandra instrument
Posted: Fri, Nov 7, 2003, 8:22 AM ET (1322 GMT)
A layer of contamination is reducing the effectiveness of one instrument on NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory, New Scientist magazine reported this week. In an article published in the November 8 issue of the British magazine, project officials confirm that a thin layer of grease had built up on a filter located in front of the spacecraft's Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS). The layer has the effect of reducing the amount of low-energy x-rays reaching the instrument, as if a gas cloud existed in space between the x-ray source and the telescope, absorbing the x-rays. Project engineers are considering a "bakeout" where the filter is heated to remove the grease, although there is concern the procedure could make the problem worse. That bakeout, if carried out, would not take place until April or May of 2004.
A layer of contamination is reducing the effectiveness of one instrument on NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory, New Scientist magazine reported this week. In an article published in the November 8 issue of the British magazine, project officials confirm that a thin layer of grease had built up on a filter located in front of the spacecraft's Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS). The layer has the effect of reducing the amount of low-energy x-rays reaching the instrument, as if a gas cloud existed in space between the x-ray source and the telescope, absorbing the x-rays. Project engineers are considering a "bakeout" where the filter is heated to remove the grease, although there is concern the procedure could make the problem worse. That bakeout, if carried out, would not take place until April or May of 2004.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
SpaceX sets Nov. 18 launch date for sixth Starship test flight
Posted: Sat, Nov 9 9:57 AM ET (1457 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, November 15
Sierra Space and DoE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory Revolutionizing Thermal Protection for a New Generation of Commercial Space Transportation Vehicles
Sierra Space — 6:20 am ET (1120 GMT) 1st Space Brigade bolsters tactical interoperability, integration with UK visit
US Army — 6:17 am ET (1117 GMT) US the greatest threat to space security and the biggest instigator of space arms race: Chinese Defense Ministry
Global Times — 6:17 am ET (1117 GMT) Rocket Lab to Launch Satellite Constellation Missions from Wallops Island
WBOC-TV Delmarva — 6:15 am ET (1115 GMT) AST SpaceMobile Announces Launch Services Agreements to Enable Continuous Space-Based Cellular Broadband Service Coverage
Business Wire — 6:14 am ET (1114 GMT) |
