Multiwavelength Astronomy Multimedia


Title

Third Small Astronomy Satellite (SAS-3)

Description

Designed and built at M.I.T, the SAS-3 was a spinning satellite. The spin rate was controlled by a gyroscope that could be commanded to stop rotation so that all instruments could be pointed at a given source. Pointing could provide about 30 minutes of continuous data on a source, such as a pulsar, burster, or transient. This is a diagram of the instruments onboard the SAS-3.

Subject

  • Third Small Astronomy Satellite (SAS-3)
  • Observatory (space-based)

Credits

NASA

Type

Artwork

Associated Lesson

X-Ray Science

This material is based upon work supported by NASA under Grant Nos. NNX09AD33G and NNX10AE80G issued through the SMD ROSES 2009 Program.

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