description ROSAT Overview
ROSAT was a German X-ray satellite launched in 1990 that produced the first all-sky survey of cosmic X-ray sources using an imaging X-ray telescope.
help ROSAT FAQ
What was the ROSAT satellite used for?
ROSAT was a German-led X-ray observatory designed to image cosmic X-ray sources. It achieved a major milestone by conducting the first comprehensive all-sky survey using an imaging X-ray telescope.
When was ROSAT launched and how long did it operate?
The satellite was launched into low Earth orbit on June 1, 1990, aboard a Delta II rocket. It operated successfully for almost nine years before its guidance system failed in 1998, and it finally re-entered Earth's atmosphere in 2011.
What did the ROSAT X-ray survey discover?
During its six-month all-sky survey, ROSAT detected over 120,000 X-ray sources, vastly expanding the known astronomical catalog. It provided unprecedented observations of supernova remnants, galaxy clusters, and the X-ray emissions from the cores of active galaxies.
Who operated the ROSAT satellite?
The mission was primarily managed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). It was an international collaborative project that also included major contributions from NASA in the United States and the United Kingdom's Science and Engineering Research Council.
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