The Swift Gamma Ray Burst Explorer is a three-telescope space observatory for studying the position, brightness, and physical properties of gamma ray bursts. Although gamma ray bursts are the largest known explosions in the Universe, outshining the rest of the Universe when they explode unpredictably in distant galaxies, their underlying nature and the cause of the explosion are true mysteries of astrophysics. Swift would use its gamma ray telescope, X-ray telescope, and ultraviolet/optical telescope to determine the nature of gamma ray bursts by probing distant regions of the Universe.

Swift is a NASA Medium-class Explorer (MIDEX) mission. MIDEX missions not only return impressive scientific results, they continue a trend toward lowering mission costs with innovative mission planning and operations. Existing flight spare components from JET-X and XMM will be used where possible, for example.

More Information Swift executive summary Swift at Penn State University The Swift telescopes in detail Press release : Preparing for October launch (29th July 2004) Related Links UK Swift Science Data Centre History of gamma ray bursts Gamma ray burst imaged for the first time

Swift will expand our knowledge of gamma ray bursts in a way no current or planned mission will. With the ability to rapidly slew within tens of seconds to active bursts and study them with the X-ray and UV/optical telescopes, Swift will be able for the first time to examine the dynamic process of the burst events and answer fundamental questions of structure and evolution of the universe.

Alan Wells	UK Lead Investigator
Tony Abbey	Systems Engineer
Dave Watson (1999-2003)	Systems Test Engineer
John Spragg (1999-2001)	Mechanical Design
Tim Stevenson	Mechanical Design
Richard Ambrosi	CCD Physicist
Alex Short (1999-2003)	CCD Physicist
Dave Vernon	Project Technician
Harold Chapman (1999-2002)	Technical Engineer
John Dowson	QA Manager