NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

WISE

Launch Time
Mon Dec 14, 2009 14:09 UTC

Rocket

Delta II 7320-10C
Image Credit: ULA
ULA
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 2,533 kN
Payload to LEO: 2,703 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 3
Rocket Height: 38.9 m
Fairing Diameter: 3.0 m
Fairing Height: 8.9 m

Mission Details

Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer

Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE, observatory code C51) is a NASA infrared-wavelength astronomical space telescope launched in December 2009, and placed in hibernation mode in February 2011. It was re-activated in 2013. WISE discovered thousands of minor planets and numerous star clusters. Its observations also supported the discovery of the first Y Dwarf and Earth trojan asteroid.

WISE performed an all-sky astronomical survey with images in 3.4, 4.6, 12 and 22 μm wavelength range bands, over ten months using a 40 cm (16 in) diameter infrared telescope in Earth orbit. After its hydrogen coolant depleted, a four-month mission extension called NEOWISE was conducted to search for near-Earth objects such as comets and asteroids using its remaining capability.

The All-Sky data including processed images, source catalogs and raw data, was released to the public on March 14, 2012, and is available at the Infrared Science Archive. In August 2013, NASA announced it would reactivate the WISE telescope for a new three-year mission to search for asteroids that could collide with Earth. Science operations and data processing for WISE and NEOWISE take place at the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 661.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

SLC-2W, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Stats

2009

74th orbital launch attempt

United Launch Alliance

37th mission
16th mission of 2009
36th successful mission
32nd consecutive successful mission

Delta II

147th mission
8th mission of 2009
145th successful mission
92nd consecutive successful mission