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Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope
Fermi telescope illustration 01.jpg
Names Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope
Mission type Gamma-ray observatory
Operator NASA · U.S. Department of Energy
COSPAR ID 2008-029A
SATCAT № 33053
Website http://fermi.gsfc.nasa.gov/
Mission duration Planned: 5-10 years
Elapsed: 8 years, 7 months, 15 days
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer General Dynamics
Launch mass 4,303 kg (9,487 lb)
Dimensions Stowed: 2.8 × 2.5 m (9.2 × 8.2 ft)
Power 1,500 W average
Start of mission
Launch date 11 June 2008, 16:05 (2008-06-11UTC16:05) UTC
Rocket Delta II 7920-H #333
Launch site Cape Canaveral SLC-17B
Contractor United Launch Alliance
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth
Semi-major axis 6,912.9 km (4,295.5 mi)
Eccentricity 0.001282
Perigee 525.9 km (326.8 mi)
Apogee 543.6 km (337.8 mi)
Inclination 25.58°
Period 95.33 min
RAAN 29.29°
Argument of perigee 131.16°
Mean anomaly 229.00°
Mean motion 15.10 rev/day
Velocity 7.59 km/s (4.72 mi/s)
Epoch 23 February 2016, 04:46:22 UTC
Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope logo.svg

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (FGST), formerly called the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST), is a space observatory being used to perform gamma-ray astronomy observations from low Earth orbit. Its main instrument is the Large Area Telescope (LAT), with which astronomers mostly intend to perform an all-sky survey studying astrophysical and cosmological phenomena such as active galactic nuclei, pulsars, other high-energy sources and dark matter. Another instrument aboard Fermi, the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM; formerly GLAST Burst Monitor), is being used to study gamma-ray bursts.

Fermi was launched on 11 June 2008 at 16:05 UTC aboard a Delta II 7920-H rocket. The mission is a joint venture of NASA, the United States Department of Energy, and government agencies in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Sweden.

Fermi includes two scientific instruments, the Large Area Telescope (LAT) and the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM).

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (formerly Spectrum Astro and now Orbital Sciences) in Gilbert, Arizona designed and built the spacecraft that carries the instruments. It travels in a low, circular orbit with a period of about 95 minutes. Its normal mode of operation maintains its orientation so that the instruments will look away from the Earth, with a "rocking" motion to equalize the coverage of the sky. The view of the instruments will sweep out across most of the sky about 16 times per day. The spacecraft can also maintain an orientation that points to a chosen target.

Both science instruments underwent environmental testing, including vibration, vacuum, and high and low temperatures to ensure that they can withstand the stresses of launch and continue to operate in space. They were integrated with the spacecraft at the General Dynamics ASCENT facility in Gilbert, Arizona.


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