spacetoday.net: First SIRTF image released

Posted: Thu, Sep 4, 2003, 1:03 PM ET (1703 GMT)
SIRTF first image (NASA/JPL/Caltech)

NASA released Wednesday the first image from the new Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) spacecraft launched last week. The image of a star field, taken by the spacecraft's infrared camera, was part of an operational test of the instrument and neither intended for scientific use nor indicative of the full capabilities of the spacecraft. SIRTF was launched August 25 into a heliocentric, Earth-trailing orbit. Its dust cover was ejected on August 29 and the telescope's aperture door opened the following day. The spacecraft and its instruments continue to cool, a process expected to take about a month. The telescope is expected to start scientific observations late this year, after completing a 60-day checkout period and 30-day scientific calibration period. The spacecraft is operating normally, according to project officials.