Mission: Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF)
Launch Date: Aug. 25, 2003
Launch Time: 1:35:39 a.m. EDT
Launch Vehicle: Delta II Heavy
Launch Pad: 17-B

+ 25 Mar 2003 - SIRTF Mission Briefing
+ 25 Mar 2003 - SIRTF Science Briefing

During its 2.5 year mission, the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) will obtain images and spectra by detecting the infrared energy, or heat, radiated by objects in space between wavelengths of 3 and 180 microns (1 micron is one-millionth of a meter). Most of this infrared radiation is blocked by the Earth's atmosphere and cannot be observed from the ground.

Consisting of a 0.85-meter telescope and three cryogenically-cooled science instruments, SIRTF will be the largest infrared telescope ever launched into space. Its highly sensitive instruments will give us a unique view of the Universe and allow us to peer into regions of space which are hidden from optical telescopes. Infrared light allows us to peer into regions of star formation, the centers of galaxies, and into newly forming planetary systems.

SIRTF will be the final mission in NASA's Great Observatories Program, also including the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO), and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory (CXO). SIRTF is also a part of NASA's Astronomical Search for Origins Program, designed to provide information which will help us understand our cosmic roots, and how galaxies, stars and planets develop and form.

23 August 2003
SIRTF launch aboard Delta rocket on schedule for Aug. 25
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19 August 2003
Launch Advisory: SIRTF launch retargeted for Aug. 25
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15 August 2003
Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) to be launched aboard DELTA II Aug. 23
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15 August 2003
KSC web to provide live coverage of SIRTF launch
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11 July 2003
International News Media Required To Apply For SIRTF Press Accreditation By July 23
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18 April 2003
NASA Delays SIRTF Launch
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9 April 2003
Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) to be Launched Aboard Delta II April 18
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25 Mar 2003
Space Observatory To Study the Old, the Cold, and the Dusty
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6 Mar 2003
Space Infrared Telescope Facility arrives at KSC
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SIRTF Newsroom
Visit the SIRTF Newsroom for current and archived news releases, multimedia, reference material and media contacts.
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SIRTF Official Web Site
Learn the background and details of the upcoming mission.
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SIRTF Status Reports
Follow the SIRTF prelaunch processing flow at KSC.
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The Delta Launch Vehicle
Look up news and information about Boeing's Delta launch vehicles.
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