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Mission Design

Constellation-X is an X-ray observatory dedicated to high resolution X-ray spectroscopy, with 100 times the throughput for high resolution spectroscopy of previous X-ray observatories. This throughput is attained using 4 identical, coaligned, high-throughput X-ray telescopes on a single spacecraft. Each telescope has a 10 m focal length and is 1.3 m in diameter. The broad bandpass is attained using three coaligned instruments: the X-ray Microcalorimeter Spectrometer (XMS), X-ray Grating Spectrometer (XGS) and Hard X-ray Telescope (HXT).

The XMS, located at the focus of each of four mirrors, provides imaging and high-resolution spectroscopy in the 0.6-10.0 keV band. Some of the X-rays are dispersed by a grating spectrometer (the XGS), providing high spectral resolution in the 0.3-1.0 keV band. The HXT (mirror plus detector) provides imaging and modest resolution spectroscopy in the 6-40 keV band.

Use the following links, or those in the side menu, to learn more about the Constellation-X mission:

• Performance Requirements
• Spacecraft Configuration
• Effective Area
• Spectral Resolution
• Bandpass

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Web Curator: Barbara Mattson
NASA Official: Dr. Ann Hornschemeier
Last Updated: May 14, 2008