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The Compton Observatory The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory satellite with solar panels unfurled is pictured here high above western Africa just prior to its release into orbit. The large round domes of the EGRET (bottom) and COMPTEL (center) experiments are visible in this view along with four of the eight BATSE detectors located at the corners of the satellite. The OSSE experiment housing is visible just above the COMPTEL dome. Credit: NASA
Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer The Diffuse X-Ray Spectrometer (DXS) experiment was flown as an attached payload in the January 1993 flight of Space Shuttle Endeavor. Developed by the University of Wisconsin, the DXS was designed primarily to detect the diffuse X-ray background with roughly 10 eV energy resolution and 15 degree angular resolution. Credit: NASA
The Solar Max Mission The Solar Maximum Mission (SMM), launched in February 1980 to study the Sun during the high part of the solar cycle, carried two high energy experiments: the Hard X-ray Burst Spectrometer and theGamma-Ray Spectrometer. A malfunction in the satellite in 1981 halted the original mission. The space shuttle Challenger serviced the SMM in orbit in 1984, which enabled the satellite to function through 1989. Credit: NASA
Spartan-1 Spartan-1 was designed to be deployed from the space shuttle Discovery and then recovered after 2 days in orbit. Aboard the Spartan platform were X-ray detectors sensitive to the energy range 1-12 keV. Launched in June 1985, Spartan-1 observed the Perseus cluster of galaxies and our galactic center region. Credit: NASA