NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 2003-002B
CHIPS (Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma Spectrometer) is an American (NASA) astrophysics spacecraft that was launched by a Delta 2 rocket from Vandenberg AFB at 00:45 UT on 13 January 2003. The 60 kg, triaxially-stabilized spacecraft has a spectrograph covering the 9-26 nm wavelength band at a resolution of 0.1 nm, scanning the entire sky in chunks of 5 degree x 27 degree segments during each orbit. The targets are the hot and diffuse nebulae at about a million degrees temperature. The band covers several strong emission lines.
Launch Date: 2003-01-13
Launch Vehicle: Delta II
Launch Site: Vandenberg AFB, United States
Mass: 60 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
CHIPS Project (U. California, Berkeley)