Explorer: GALEX (SMEX 7)

GALEX (SMEX 7) [OSC]

GALEX (Galaxy Evolution Explorer) uses a Modified Ritchey-Chretien (Aspheric corrected) telescope for UV imaging and spectroscopic survey to map the global history and probe the causes of star formation and its evolution over the redshift range 0<z<2.

The GALEX method exploits demonstrated techniques to

use the Lyman break to measure redshift and distance in photometric and spectroscopic data
UV slope to measure extinction
UV luminosity to measure star formation rate and its history over cosmic time

The GALEX space craft is based on Orbital's LEOStar-2 bus.

Nation:	USA
Type / Application:	Astronomy, UV
Operator:	NASA
Contractors:	Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC)
Equipment:	50 cm Modified Ritchey-Chretien Telescope
Configuration:	LEOStar-2
Propulsion:	?
Lifetime:
Mass:	312 kg
Orbit:	690 km x 702 km, 29°

Satellite	Date	LS		Launcher	Remarks:
GALEX (SMEX 7, Explorer 83)	28.04.2003	CC, L-1011, RW30/12		Pegasus-XL

Further SMEX missions: