Gamma (satellite)

Gamma
Drawing of the Gamma space telescope satellite. The spaceframe and subsystems of the satellite were based on the Progress spacecraft
OperatorRKA
COSPAR ID1990-058A
SATCAT no.20683
Mission duration2 years
Spacecraft properties
BusSoyuz
Launch mass7,350 kg (16,200 lb)
Start of mission
Launch dateJuly 11, 1990 (1990-07-11)
RocketSoyuz-U2
Launch siteBaikonur Site 1/5
End of mission
Decay dateFebruary 28, 1992 (1992-02-28)
Orbital parameters
Eccentricity0.00326
Perigee altitude190 km
Apogee altitude233 km
Inclination51.6°
Period88.45  min
Main
WavelengthsGamma ray
Instruments
Gamma-1 telescope (50 MeV to 6 GeV)
Disk-M telescope (20 keV to 5 MeV)
Pulsar X-2 telescope (2–25 keV)

Gamma was a Soviet gamma ray telescope. It was launched on 11 July 1990 into an orbit around Earth with a height of 375 km and an inclination of 51.6 degrees. It lasted for around 2 years. On board the mission were three telescopes, all of which could be pointed at the same source. The project was a joint Soviet-French project.