The Third Small Astronomy Satellite (SAS-3)
The third US Small Astronomy Satellite (SAS-3) was launched in May 1975, with 3 major scientific objectives: 1) determine bright X-ray source locations to an accuracy of 15 arcseconds; 2) study selected sources over the energy range 0.1-55 keV; and 3) continuously search the sky for X-ray novae, flares, and other transient phenomena. It was a spinning satellite with pointing capability.
Mission Characteristics
Lifetime : May 1975 - Apr 1979Energy Range : 0.1-60 keV
Payload :
There are four X-ray experiments on SAS-3 that all used proportional counters as detectors with different collimating system. The experiments were not co-aligned.
- Modulation collimators (2-11 keV)
- Slat and Tube collimators (1 up to 60keV)
- Low-energy detector system
0.15-1.0 keV, 2.9° FOV
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Discovery of a dozen X-ray burst sources among which
the Rapid Burster - First discovery of X-ray from an highly magnetic WD binary system, AM Her
- Discovery of X-ray from Algol and HZ 43.
- Precise location of about 60 X-ray sources
- Survey of the Soft X-ray background (0.1-0.28 kev)
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Last modified: Thursday, 26-Jun-2003 13:48:54 EDT