The first Spacelab mission, in orbit in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle (STS-9) from 28 November-8 December 1983, carried a multi-disciplinary payload intended to demonstrate that good science could be done on short shuttle flights.
Mission Characteristics
Lifetime
28 Nov–8 Dec 1983
Lifetime
28 Nov–8 Dec 1983
Payload
Instrument
Characteristic
Details
X-ray spectrometer
Energy Range
2–30 keV (nominal) 2–80 keV (max)
Effective Area
180 cm 2 at 7 keV
Field of View
4.5° (FWHM)
Energy Resolution
9% at 7 keV
An X-ray spectrometer, measuring 2–30 keV photons (although 2–80 keV was possible), was on the pallet. The primary science objective was to study detailed spectral features in cosmic sources and their temporal changes. The instrument was a gas scintillation proportional counter (GSPC) with 512 energy channels.
X-ray spectrometer
Energy Range
2–30 keV (nominal) 2–80 keV (max)
Effective Area
180 cm 2 at 7 keV
Field of View
4.5° (FWHM)
Energy Resolution
9% at 7 keV
An X-ray spectrometer, measuring 2–30 keV photons (although 2–80 keV was possible), was on the pallet. The primary science objective was to study detailed spectral features in cosmic sources and their temporal changes. The instrument was a gas scintillation proportional counter (GSPC) with 512 energy channels.
Science Highlights
Data were accumulated for all intended targets. These included Cyg X-2, 4U1636-53, Her X-1, Coma, Cyg X-3, Perseus, Cyg X-1, Cas A, Crab, Cen X-3, Cen X-2, and Vela X-1.
